U.S.MORNING HEADLINE

Viola Davis and husband donate $1.2 million to her Rhode Island…

The couple's gift to her Rhode Island hometown follows Davis's openly told journey out of poverty; for once, the town gets more than a street sign.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on BBN This Morning
Published 6:03 AM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on this story, from BBN This Morning at 6:03 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Times of India's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by The Times of India: “Viola Davis grew up in poverty in Rhode Island; now she and husband Julius Tennon are donating $1.2 milli”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:03 AM ET on BBN This Morning, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.
Topics: Viola Davis.
BBN covered this story before: Glen Davis calls Ray Allen 'weird' as Giants tie still puzzles (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The Times of IndiaViola Davis grew up in poverty in Rhode Island; now she and husband Julius Tennon are donating $1.2 milli

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorViola Davis grew up in poverty in Rhode Island, and she and her husband, Julius Tennon, are now donating one point two million dollars to the place that raised her.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI love this one. She talks about those years openly, and now she's sending money back to the town where she lived them.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe gift is tied to her own story, from a childhood with very little to a career that's earned her an Oscar and an Emmy.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA hometown usually gets a plaque and a street named after somebody. This one gets a check.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA check is more useful than a plaque. You can't pay a heating bill with a plaque.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHank, that's almost a sentence with feelings in it.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt was an accounting observation.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore U.S. →

More Shorts

All videos →

▶ As it aired · U.S.'Helicopter brain' could be making you feel sick: How to spot itRead the story
Photo: United States Senate · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Jim Justice weighs 2028 run for West Virginia governorRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Rescued Lurcher Jude Learns to Play: Doctorates Can't CompeteAbout this segment
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.MAGA Inc. plots final midterm money movesRead the story
▶ As it aired · U.S.Family of Thai teen found in suitcase faces alleged killer in courtRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Raleigh Tornadoes: Consultant Wants a 12-Week Wind StudyAbout this segment
Photo: Takeaway · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Recalls: Rangers call up a goalie, Gatorade, SuperValu salmonRead the story
▶ As it aired · U.S.Red tape makes many new homes unviable, former minister warnsRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Beach Boys Health Scare: Publicist on a Yacht Keeps Changing BoatsAbout this segment
Photo: U.S. Department of State · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Will Rubio, Ossoff and Ocasio-Cortez run for president?Read the story