You turn on CNN today and things look a whole lot different than they did even ten years ago. It’s not just the flashy digital sets or the way the "Breaking News" banners seem to pulse with a little more urgency. Honestly, the biggest shift is in who is actually sitting behind the desk. When we talk about black news anchors on cnn, we aren't just looking at a list of names; we’re looking at a fundamental shift in how the biggest stories in the world get told.
For a long time, cable news had a specific "look." You know the one. But lately, the network has leaned hard into a roster that actually reflects what America looks like. It’s about perspective. It’s about having people in the chair who don’t just read the prompter but actually understand the nuances of the communities they're reporting on.
The Power Players Leading the Charge
If you’re a morning person, you’ve probably spent some time with Sara Sidner. She’s a powerhouse. Sidner isn't just a "studio" person; she’s spent years on the ground in some of the most intense spots on the planet, from the Libyan civil war to the front lines of the protests in Minneapolis. There’s a certain grit she brings to CNN News Central that feels real.
Then you’ve got Abby Phillip.
Phillip has basically become the face of the network’s political coverage. Since taking over the 10 p.m. ET slot with CNN NewsNight, she’s carved out a space that feels more like a conversation and less like a lecture. She has this way of cutting through the DC spin without being performative about it. It’s smart. It’s sharp. And it’s exactly what the late-night slot needed.
Breaking Down the Daily Lineup
It’s easy to miss how much ground is covered by these journalists across a 24-hour cycle.
🔗 Read more: When Does Joe Biden's Term End: What Actually Happened
- Audie Cornish: Coming over from NPR was a huge get for CNN. As of March 2025, she took the reins of CNN This Morning. If you’ve ever listened to her on the radio, you know her voice has this calm authority that works perfectly for that early-morning coffee-and-news routine.
- Victor Blackwell: Based in Atlanta, Blackwell is a veteran. He’s been with the network since 2012. His show First of All with Victor Blackwell on Saturday mornings is essentially required viewing if you want to understand the intersection of policy and real life. He’s famously connected to his hometown of Baltimore, and that "local boy done good" energy makes his reporting feel deeply grounded.
- Laura Coates: She’s the Chief Legal Analyst, but she’s so much more than that. Laura Coates Live at 11 p.m. ET is where the law meets the culture. As a former federal prosecutor, she can explain a Supreme Court ruling or a high-profile trial in a way that doesn't make your head spin, which is a rare skill.
Why the Anchor Desk Matters More Than Ever
Representation is a word that gets tossed around a lot, kinda like a buzzword. But in news? It’s structural. When black news anchors on cnn lead the coverage of a major event—say, a national election or a social justice movement—they bring a level of lived experience that changes the questions being asked.
Take Victor Blackwell’s emotional defense of Baltimore a few years back. That wasn't just "news." It was a moment of raw, human truth that went viral because it came from a place of genuine hurt and pride. You can’t fake that.
CNN has definitely faced its share of criticism over the years regarding its lineup and how it handles internal diversity. Don Lemon’s high-profile exit in 2023 was a massive talking point that sparked a lot of debate about the direction of the network. But the current shift seems more focused on "journalistic weight." They aren't just putting people in seats to check a box; they are leaning on people like Fredricka Whitfield, who has been a steady, reliable hand for over two decades.
Whitfield is a legend in that Atlanta newsroom. She’s covered everything from the 2004 Asian tsunami to multiple presidential inaugurations. She’s the bridge between the "old school" CNN and the new era.
The Context You Won't See in a Press Release
The reality of being a Black anchor on a major cable network is complicated. You’re often walking a tightrope. You have to be "objective" by traditional standards while navigating a world that often views your very existence as a political statement.
💡 You might also like: Fire in Idyllwild California: What Most People Get Wrong
Honestly, it’s a lot of pressure.
Journalists like Rene Marsh and Omar Jimenez (who gained national fame for being arrested on live TV while covering the George Floyd protests) are doing the heavy lifting in the field. They are the ones providing the raw material that the anchors then synthesize for us at home.
A Look at the Current Roster (2025-2026)
To give you a better sense of who is who right now, here is the breakdown of the most prominent Black voices you’ll see:
- Sara Sidner: Co-anchor, CNN News Central (Mornings)
- Audie Cornish: Anchor, CNN This Morning
- Abby Phillip: Anchor, CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip (Prime Time)
- Victor Blackwell: Anchor, First of All and CNN This Morning Weekend
- Laura Coates: Chief Legal Analyst and Anchor, Laura Coates Live
- Fredricka Whitfield: Anchor, CNN Newsroom (Weekends)
- Rahel Solomon: Anchor and Correspondent (Business focus)
The Evolving Strategy at Hudson Yards
CNN's move to Hudson Yards in New York wasn't just a change of scenery; it was a rebranding. Under the leadership of Mark Thompson (who took over after the short-lived Chris Licht era), the focus has shifted back to "hard news."
This has been a double-edged sword for some. While it emphasizes the expertise of people like Laura Coates, it also means there’s less room for the "personality-driven" commentary that defined the network during the Trump years.
📖 Related: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Is it working? The ratings are always a roller coaster. But the credibility factor seems to be stabilizing. When a major crisis hits, people still turn to CNN. Having black news anchors on cnn at the helm during those "all-hands-on-deck" moments sends a message to the audience that the network is looking at the world through a wide-angle lens, not a pinhole.
How to Stay Informed
If you want to support or simply follow the work of these journalists more closely, here’s the best way to do it without just sitting in front of the TV all day:
- Follow their socials: Most of these anchors, especially Abby Phillip and Victor Blackwell, are very active on X (Twitter) and Instagram. They often share "behind the scenes" context that doesn't make it into the 3-minute TV segments.
- Check out the podcasts: Audie Cornish’s podcast The Assignment is incredible. It’s deep-dive journalism that allows her to use those "public radio" muscles in a TV environment.
- Watch the weekend slots: Weekend news is often where some of the most interesting, community-focused reporting happens. Fredricka Whitfield and Victor Blackwell really own that space.
The landscape of media is always shifting. We’re seeing more Black journalists in leadership roles behind the scenes too—producers, VPs, and directors who decide what stories actually make it to air. That’s where the real long-term change happens.
Next Steps for the Viewer:
- Set your DVR for First of All with Victor Blackwell on Saturdays to see how he handles community issues.
- Subscribe to The Assignment with Audie Cornish for long-form interviews that go beyond the daily headlines.
- Pay attention to the "byline" on CNN.com; many of the digital reporters are the future anchors you'll be seeing in the 7 p.m. slots five years from now.