T.J. Holmes left CNN Newsroom in December for BET, where his new comedic news show, Don't Sleep, will debut later this year. Filling his shoes as co-host of the program — and its newest African-American face — will be Victor Blackwell of WPBF News in West Palm Beach, Fla.
In announcing the news, CNN Executive Vice President Ken Jautz called Blackwell a "passionate and committed journalist" who will "be a strong addition to our weekend morning team and in the field."
Blackwell comes to CNN from WPBF 25 News in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he served as an anchor for the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. He has been honored with an Emmy award, several regional Emmy nominations, two Telly awards, several Associated Press awards and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists. He also earned the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award and the UNITY Award, both from the Radio Television Digital News Association, for a special report on the disproportionate drop out rate amongst young black men.
Prior to his tenure at WPBF, Blackwell worked for WTLV/WJXX in Jacksonville, Fla. He broke into journalism writing for the Community Times newspaper in Columbia, Md. He has worked as a producer for Radio11 WBAL in Baltimore and as a co-producer for WHUT-TV in Washington. He has also worked for WPMT-TV in York, Penn., and WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, Md.
Blackwell's reporting includes an investigation of synthetic marijuana, its effects and the local people making money from the drug. He covered the final space shuttle launch on location in Cape Canaveral, Fla., and he covered the Casey Anthony trial and verdict in Orlando, Fla., including exclusive interviews with Anthony’s roommates.
Here's a short clip we found of Blackwell with some of his WPBF 25 colleagues:
Read more at CNN.