Victor Blackwell (born September 25, 1981) is an Americantelevision news anchor who currently co-hosts the weekend edition of CNN This Morning and hosts First of All with Victor Blackwell on CNN.[1]
Early life and education
Blackwell was class president of his high school graduating class at Milford Mill Academy in 1999.[2] He earned a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C.[3] While in college, he worked at Howard University's public television station WHUT-TV.
On April 19, 2021, he began co-hosting a two-hour afternoon block of CNN Newsroom with Alisyn Camerota.
On March 25, 2023, Blackwell returned to weekend mornings to co-anchor CNN This Morning with Amara Walker. He announced that this was a permanent assignment.
In August 2023, CNN announced a major overhaul of its weekday/weekend programming, in making that announcement Blackwell was named host of a new weekend show called First of All with Victor Blackwell. He will continue as host of CNN This Morning.[8]
Awards and honors
In 2009, Blackwell received a Regional Emmy Awards for Outstanding Feature Reporting.[9] He was also nominated for a Regional Emmy in 2007,[10] 2008,[11] and 2011.[12] Blackwell also received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for his reporting on the Stop Snitchin’ phenomenon and its impact on inner-city crime.[13] Blackwell received the Unity Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association in 2007 for his reporting on the high school graduation rate of black boys.[14]
Personal life
Blackwell came out as gay on CNN on December 21, 2013, in an on-air conversation with co-anchor Pamela Brown.[15][16]