Gail Mitchell

Gail Mitchell joined Billboard's Los Angeles office as R&B music editor in 1999 and currently serves as the trade publication’s senior editor covering R&B/hip-hop. Prior to Billboard, Mitchell operated her own writing/editing firm, the Write Focus.

Before forming her own company, Mitchell was VP/executive editor for the daily fax publication Inside Radio, establishing the company’s West Coast office. Prior to that she held a similar post at weekly trade publication Radio & Records. Mitchell began her music journalism career at R&R in 1983.

Mitchell holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Loyola Marymount University/Los Angeles. She is also a trustee for the Los Angeles chapter of the Recording Academy. In addition, Mitchell serves on the board of LMU’s African-American Alumni Association and on the editorial advisory board for LMU’s alumni publication “Vistas.” She is also a member of the advisory board for St. Odilia Elementary School in Los Angeles.