Victor Blackwell facts for kids

Victor Blackwell was born on September 25, 1981. He is an American television news anchor. Currently, he helps host the weekend show CNN This Morning. He also hosts his own show called First of All with Victor Blackwell on CNN.

Early Life and School

Victor Blackwell was the class president when he graduated from Milford Mill Academy in 1999. He then went to Howard University in Washington, D.C.. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism. While he was in college, he worked at Howard University's public television station, WHUT-TV.

Victor Blackwell's Career

After finishing college, Victor Blackwell worked as a reporter and sometimes as an anchor at WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, Maryland. He also worked as a reporter and weekend anchor at WTLV/WJXX in Jacksonville, Florida. Later, Blackwell became the first Black main anchor at WPBF in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Blackwell joined CNN in 2012. He started as a correspondent, working from CNN's office in the southeast. In 2013, he reported on the mysterious death of a teenager named Kendrick Johnson in Georgia. His reporting led to investigations by state and federal officials. In January 2014, Blackwell was promoted. He became a co-host of New Day Saturday and Sunday with Christi Paul.

On April 19, 2021, he began co-hosting a two-hour afternoon show called CNN Newsroom with Alisyn Camerota. On March 25, 2023, Blackwell returned to weekend mornings. He started co-anchoring CNN This Morning with Amara Walker. He announced that this was his new permanent job. In August 2023, CNN announced some big changes to its shows. Victor Blackwell was named the host of a new weekend show called First of All with Victor Blackwell. He continues to host CNN This Morning as well.

Awards and Recognition

In 2009, Victor Blackwell won a Regional Emmy Awards for his excellent feature reporting. He was also nominated for a Regional Emmy in 2007, 2008, and 2011. Blackwell also received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award. This was for his reporting on a topic called "Stop Snitchin'" and how it affected crime in cities. In 2007, Blackwell received the Unity Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. This award was for his reporting on the high school graduation rates of Black boys.