'Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien' Receives Iris Award of Excellence.

The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) has brought back their iconic IRIS Awards. The first honorees are Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein receiving the Career Achievement Award; and Perry Sook, receiving the Lew Klein Leadership Award; and the weekly syndicated political show Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien receiving the Iris Award of Excellence.

Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien is a weekly syndicated political talk show produced by Hearst Television.

Soledad O'Brien Receives Community Champion Award

On October 24th, Harlem United, a nationally recognized, community-focused healthcare, housing, and human services provider, celebrated 30 years of service to New Yorkers at its 2018 Boulevard Bash Gala at the historic Low Library Rotunda at Columbia University.

At the event, Harlem United honored Soledad O'Brien with the Community Champion Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts to empower youth, and address social justice by bringing to the forefront narratives that affect underserved communities. Esteemed journalist and colleague, Tamron Hall presented the Community Champion Award to O'Brien to kick off the program.

Pow(h)er Awards Dinner

Soledad O'Brien Named to Power of Women New York Impact List

Every year, Variety honors women across all aspects of the entertainment industry who are making an impact. This year, Soledad O'Brien, host of Matter of Fact, was one of the women named to their Power of Women New York Impact List.

“I think the strength in being straight-talking lies in that it’s actually wrapped up in fact. In order to have a future, you can’t wait around for other people to decide what it will be,” says O’Brien. 

This busy Emmy Award-winning journalist and CEO of her production company, Starfish, also hosts Hearst Television’s weekly news show Matter of Fact and Oxygen’s Mysteries & Scandals and led the panel for Fox’s buzzy “OJ Simpson: The Lost Confession?” in March. 

O’Brien also works at her PowHERful Foundation to mentor young girls.

National Civil Rights Museum Names Soledad O'Brien Among Freedom Award Honorees

The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis named Soledad O'Brien among its Freedom Award honorees.

O’Brien is chairman of Starfish Media Group and also works as a journalist and executive producer. O’Brien also worked with CNN, where she helped produce the documentaries “Black in America” and “Latino in America,” which show the trials, successes and complexities of being black or Latino.

The event will take place Oct. 20 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.

Soledad O’Brien to Receive Honorary Degrees at 2016 Commencement

Two eminent Americans, former US Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. and award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien, will receive honorary degrees at Stony Brook University’s 56th annual Commencement ceremony, to be held May 20, 2016. The conferral of these degrees underscores the University’s ongoing commitment to diversity, social justice and public service.

O’Brien is a broadcast journalist, news anchor, documentarian, executive producer and philanthropist who has become a fixture in global news.

Maria de la Soledad Teresa O’Brien was raised in St. James, New York, a community only a few miles from the Stony Brook Campus. She and her five siblings all attended Harvard University. Soon after O’Brien graduated, she began her reporting career in Boston. In 1991, she joined NBC News, and by 1997, she was anchoring programs such as Weekend Today. In 2003, she joined CNN, where she distinguished herself by reporting from the scene of such stories as the London terrorism attacks in 2005, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

In 2011, O’Brien won her first Emmy Award for “Crisis in Haiti.” She was also a member of the teams that earned CNN a George Foster Peabody award for coverage of the British oil petroleum spill and of Katrina. She has also received accolades for her recent noteworthy documentaries, including Black in America: The New Promised Land; Beyond Bravery: The Women of 9/11; and Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door.

After witnessing the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, O’Brien and her husband, Brad Raymond, began privately awarding scholarships to young women who lacked essential resources to succeed. As their efforts grew, they formed the Starfish Foundation to expand their reach. Today, the foundation provides scholarships to disadvantaged young women in underserved communities. To date, they have provided support to 28 young women.

O’Brien’s ties to Stony Brook University run deep. Her father, Edward O’Brien, is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering; he has been on the faculty since 1961. She has participated in the School of Journalism’s “My Life As…” series, discussing her life as a CNN Anchor, and in 2015 she brought her Black in America tour, which focused on key issues facing minority communities today, to campus.

SOURCE: http://www.stonybrook.edu/happenings/oncampus/eric-holder-soledad-obrien-to-receive-honorary-degrees-at-2016-commencement/

Soledad O'Brien Honored at YWCA USA Annual Conference

Award-winning broadcast journalist, executive producer, advocate and philanthropist Soledad O'Brien was awarded the Dorothy I. Height Award at the 2014 YWCA USA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.

This award is presented to an individual who has had a national impact in the field of racial justice in the United States. Honorees are selected based on criteria that reflect Dr. Dorothy I. Height's significant civil rights contributions: service in a leadership role, commitment to racial equity and a high standard of courage, integrity and steadfastness in support of the YWCA's mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

"For more than two decades, Soledad O'Brien has brought issues of racial justice to the forefront, and right into our living rooms," said YWCA USA CEO Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D. "From her coverage of major news stories, like Hurricane Katrina and the Crisis in Haiti, to her examination of what it means to be black and Latino in America. Through her professional commitment to racial justice, and her personal mission to help disadvantaged young women across the country get a college education, Soledad O'Brien exemplifies the life and work of civil rights pioneer Dorothy Height, and we are honored that she will join us at the 2014 YWCA Annual Conference."

"I am humbled to receive an award named for civil rights icon Dr. Dorothy Height, who spoke out on issues of race, class and gender, and devoted her life to furthering justice and freedom for not only women, but for people of all races and gender," said Soledad O'Brien. "Journalism provided me with a national platform to talk about racial issues, to ask the tough questions and have those uncomfortable conversations, and I am committed to continuing that dialogue."

Soledad O'Brien is a dedicated philanthropist and advocate in the fields of racial justice. Over the past decade, she was at the forefront of the biggest news stories, and she was the originator of the critically acclaimed documentary series on race, Black in America and Latino in America. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, O'Brien co-founded with her husband Brad Raymond "The Soledad O'Brien and Brad Raymond Starfish Foundation," which awards scholarships to 25 disadvantaged young women to attend college.

SOURCE  www.broadwayworld.com

Soledad O'Brien to Be Honored at YWCA USA Annual Conference

Soledad O'Brien will be awarded the Dorothy I. Height Award at the YWCA USA Annual Conference on June 12, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

This award is presented to an individual who has had a national impact in the field of racial justice in the United States. Honorees are selected based on criteria that reflect Dr. Dorothy I. Height's significant civil rights contributions: service in a leadership role, commitment to racial equity and a high standard of courage, integrity and steadfastness in support of the YWCA's mission to eliminate racism and empower women.

"For more than two decades, Soledad O'Brien has brought issues of racial justice to the forefront, and right into our living rooms," said YWCA USA CEO Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D. "From her coverage of major news stories, like Hurricane Katrina and the Crisis in Haiti, to her examination of what it means to be black and Latino in America. Through her professional commitment to racial justice, and her personal mission to help disadvantaged young women across the country get a college education, Soledad O'Brien exemplifies the life and work of civil rights pioneer Dorothy Height, and we are honored that she will join us at the 2014 YWCA Annual Conference."

"I am humbled to receive an award named for civil rights icon Dr. Dorothy Height, who spoke out on issues of race, class and gender, and devoted her life to furthering justice and freedom for not only women, but for people of all races and gender," said O'Brien. "Journalism provided me with a national platform to talk about racial issues, to ask the tough questions and have those uncomfortable conversations, and I am committed to continuing that dialogue."

Source: www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/

Soledad O'Brien to Receive Spirit of the League Award in Atlanta

The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will hold its 3rd Annual Spirit of The League Luncheon on Friday, June 14 at the Twelve Hotel at Atlantic Station in Midtown at noon.

Soledad O'Brien, who is currently a CNN special correspondent, will be recognized as the League's special honoree. She recently entered into a unique production and distribution agreement with the network to produce long-form programming specials through her company, Starfish Media Group. Launching this month, the 360 media production company and distributor will be dedicated to uncovering and producing stories that take a challenging look at often divisive issues of race, class, wealth opportunity and personal stories.

"In prior years we were honored to have celebrated Tyler Perry and Monique as honorees for the Spirit of the League Award. This year we are thrilled that Soledad O'Brien will be recognized as our special honoree for her ongoing contributions to local and international communities," Urban League of Greater Atlanta CEO Nancy Flake Johnson said.

SOURCE: http://www.atlantadailyworld.com

Soledad O'Brien's Freedom's Voice Awards Gala

Soledad O'Brien's Freedom's Voice Awards Gala with honoree Ludacris
October 2011

RTDNA Award for "Latino in America"

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is the world's largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession, consisting of more than 3,000 news directors, news associates, educators and students.

Soledad O'Brien received an award this year from the organization for her CNN documentary "Latino in America."

This month, Brian Williams paid tribute to his friend and colleague, Tim Russert, with the RTNDA’s Paul White Award at the dinner that included the presentation of the Edward R. Murrow Awards and the RTNDA/UNITY Awards.

Joining Williams as awards presenters were Lester Holt, Soledad O’Brien, Maggie Rodriguez, and Bob Woodruff.

RTDNA was founded as a grassroots organization in 1946, and is dedicated to setting standards for newsgathering and reporting.

Soledad O'Brien at Morehouse College For Award Ceremonies

Soledad O'Brien was in Atlanta recently for Morehouse College's "Soledad O'Brien Freedom's Voice Award" ceremony.

Community Voices of Morehouse School of Medicine gave awards at the third annual Freedom's Voice Conference and "Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award Gala" on October 7, 2010.

The 2010 Community Voices Freedom's Voice Conference "When the Gates Open: Building Linkages between Reentry & Healthcare," examined the unique needs of individuals reentering communities who have histories of mental illness or substance abuse.

Partnering with University Legal Services and the Drug Policy Alliance Network, the event offered specialized and intensive workshops that address mental health and substance abuse concerns among individuals in reentry.

Soledad O'Brien, CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent, and Jamal Simmons, political commentator and journalist, facilitated discussions with widely respected reentry experts on what can be done to address this urgent issue.

The Soledad O'Brien Freedom's Voice Award was created in honor of Ms. O’Brien to honor her for her determination to cover stories that might otherwise go untold and to recognize other outstanding catalyst for social change.

This year, the award will honor went to two outstanding individuals.

Acclaimed actor and author, Hill Harper’s work and overall concern for the issues that affect our nation and our youth, along with his leadership and vision to empower and uplift, makes him an outstanding honoree.

Kevin Liles is the founder and CEO of KWL Enterprises and former Executive Vice President of Time Warner Music Group, author, philanthropist, motivational speaker and consultant to a myriad of entertainment and political boards. His leadership and committed involvement in encouraging, diversifying and empowering communities and our nation serves as a model and inspiration to future leaders.

At The NABJ Annual Convention

Stephanie Elam, CNN Business News Correspondent; Soledad O'Brien, Honoree, CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent; Dr. Steve Perry, CNN Education Contributor; and Kareen Wynter, CNN Entertainment      Photo:blackgivesback.com

July 31, 2010 - The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) awarded CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien as the organization's 2010 Journalist of the Year. A special VIP reception was held in her honor in San Diego, the site of the organization’s 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair. The convention is the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.

Photo: NABJ/Jason Miccolo Johnson

CNN Video: Soledad O'Brien on Her NABJ Award

Soledad speaks with CNN's Don Lemon about her past year and getting the NABJ's Journalist of the Year award this past week.

Soledad O'Brien Is NABJ's Journalist of the Year

The National Association of Black Journalists named CNN's Soledad O'Brien Journalist of the Year at its spring Board of Directors meeting, and tonight she joined other top honorees at the association's Salute to Excellence Gala in San Diego.

The event was part of NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair, the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.

O'Brien is the impetus of CNN's acclaimed "In America" franchise, which began with CNN's "Black In America" in 2008,a groundbreaking documentary, which took an in-depth look at the challenges confronting blacks in America. In 2009 CNN followed up with "Black In America 2," a project which didn't just seek to highlight challenges, but also acknowledged the efforts by those in the community to come up with proven solutions to the most pressing issues facing the black community."Black In America 2" was the highest-rated cable news documentary of 2009, sparking conversations and town hall gatherings across the country to further examine the intersection of race, class and gender, subjects that can be challenging for the media to explore.

"Soledad's work in the ‘Black in America' series offered extraordinary and gripping stories of successful community leaders who are improving the lives of African-Americans," said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times. "This was an example of great reporting, and through her work and platform she shared the stories in our communities that often go untold. She is truly worthy of NABJ's Journalist of the Year honor."

O'Brien crisscrossed the U.S. and included reporting from Ghana and South Africa as she uncovered the people and programs at the forefront of change – people inspiring volunteerism, programs that are improving access to quality healthcare and education, and leaders working to address financial disparities and develop strong families.

"Soledad is a solid journalist with a long list of accomplishments," said Bob Butler, NABJ Vice-President of Broadcast. "Her reporting is always done with great thought and perspective. We are proud to have her in the NABJ family."

Press Release    http://www.nabj.org/newsroom/news_releases/

Soledad O'Brien Accepts HOLA Award 2006

Soledad O'Brien speaks about her parents and influences upon receiving HOLA Award in 2006.

Soledad O'Brien Will Host CHCI Annual Awards Gala

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is the premier Hispanic non-profit and non-partisan leadership development organization in the country.

CHCI announced September 12-15, 2010, as the dates for its 2010 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Washington, D.C. with the theme "Celebrating History, Heritage and the American Dream."

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien will celebrity host the 33rd Annual Awards Gala on September 15, 2010. O'Brien is a recipient of CHCI's 2009 Medallion of Excellence Award for Leadership and Community Service.

CHCI hosts the nation's premier events commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, which draws over 3,000 Latino leaders from across the country to its Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy Night, and Annual Awards Gala.

"This year's theme reflects the historical contributions of Latinos in the United States as we join the celebration of Latin American landmark independence anniversaries all over the hemisphere and the 400 year anniversary of the founding of the city of Santa Fe," said Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, CHCI Chair.

"Our theme also embodies the Latino community's embrace of the American Dream and its commitment to the success of this great nation. We expect a huge turnout this year to hear from members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, and other national leaders on how the Latino community will play an integral role in leading this nation forward in the 21st century."

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 - October 15. For CHCI, it also represents an opportunity to highlight its competitive and nationally acclaimed Latino youth leadership development programs, including two fellowship programs, a congressional internship program, scholarship awards, and a college readiness program, Ready to Lead (R2L) for high school students.

Soledad O'Brien Named Journalist of the Year by the NABJ

The National Association of Black Journalists named CNN's Soledad O'Brien Journalist of the Year at its spring Board of Directors meeting. O'Brien will join other top honorees at the association's Salute to Excellence Gala, on July 31 in San Diego, during NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair, the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.

O'Brien is the impetus of CNN's acclaimed "In America" franchise, which began with CNN's "Black In America" in 2008, a groundbreaking documentary, which took an in-depth look at the challenges confronting blacks in America.

In 2009 CNN followed up with "Black In America 2" which was the highest-rated cable news documentary of 2009, sparking conversations and town hall gatherings across the country to further examine the intersection of race, class and gender – subjects that can be challenging for the media to explore.

"Soledad's work in the 'Black in America' series offered extraordinary and gripping stories of successful community leaders who are improving the lives of African Americans," said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times. "This was an example of great reporting, and through her work and platform she shared the stories in our communities that often go untold. She is truly worthy of NABJ's Journalist of the Year honor."

O'Brien crisscrossed the U.S. and included reporting from Ghana and South Africa as she uncovered the people and programs at the forefront of change – people inspiring volunteerism, programs that are improving access to quality healthcare and education, and leaders working to address financial disparities and develop strong families.

"Soledad is a solid journalist with a long list of accomplishments," said Bob Butler, NABJ Vice-President of Broadcast. "Her reporting is always done with great thought and perspective. We are proud to have her in the NABJ family."



SoledadOBrien.info

Soledad O'Brien on The Mediaite 50 - Innovators And Influencers Who Shook Up 2009

Soledad O'Brien is #45 on The Mediaite 50 list of "Innovators And Influencers Who Shook Up 2009"

CNN’s Special Correspondent has held many roles since joining the network, but has settled in once again this year working on long-term projects. Latino in America debuted in early 2009, and Black in America 2 came out in July (and there’s more on the way in 2010). The latter saw rave reviews, while ratings were not as strong as the previous installment. Still, it was one of the most-watched documentaries on all of cable news in the year. And while CNN’s prime time line-up continues to under-perform, a shuffle could leave O’Brien in an expanded role.  One downside of the year: Jeopardy    ;- )

SoledadOBrien.info

Soledad O'Brien at Black Star News Awards

This year Rep. Maxine Waters, Rev. Al Sharpton, and CNN’s Soledad O’Brien headed a list of honorees and speakers at the Black Star News’ 2009 Annual Awards Dinner in New York, on November 20, 2009.

Past BSN honorees have included Bill and Camille Cosby, for their philanthropy and very generous support of education.

Soledad O’Brien, CNN anchor and host of the celebrated series “Black In America,” and “Latino in America,” will be featured speakers.
The theme for this year’s dinner is “Education, As the Key to Empowerment.”

"I am honored to accept this year's award for groundbreaking journalism,” Soledad O’Brien said. “I consider myself lucky to be able to do what I do - to shed light on those stories that need to be told. We received such extraordinary feedback after Black in America I, it was clear viewers had a great interest in the subject matter and that we needed a part II.

Reporting for the Black in America series was an extremely rewarding experience for me personally. By highlighting issues throughout the black community and featuring successful community leaders who are improving the lives of African-Americans, I see the series as a starting point to generate dialogue about issues of race in this country that could lead to real change."

The Black Star News is a weekly newspaper, also found online at www.blackstarnews.com with a focus on news impacting general readership with emphasis on underserved communities, African Americans, as well as immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa.

SoledadOBrien.info