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Art Fennell
Maker interview details
Interview
- June 12, 2014
Profession
- Category:
MediaMakers
- Occupation(s):
Broadcast journalist
Birthplace
- Born: January 10, 1961
- Birth Location: Bennettsville, South Carolina
Favorites
- Favorite Time of Year: Spring
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Africa, The Caribbean, West Coast, South
Favorite Quote
"I Hope The Good News Is Yours."
Biography
Broadcast journalist Art Fennell was born and raised in Bennettsville, South Carolina. One of twelve children, he graduated from South Carolina State University with a communications degree.
Fennell began his broadcasting career as a radio announcer in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He went on to work in on-air positions at The South Carolina Educational Television Network; WBTW-TV in Florence, South Carolina; WCBD-TV in Charleston, South Carolina; WSAV-TV in Savannah, Georgia and WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia. Fennell then moved to WCAU NBC-10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he served in various roles, including as anchor, reporter, host and producer. He was subsequently named principal anchor and managing editor for CN8 News on the Comcast Network based in Philadelphia, and hosted the nightly 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. From 2006 to 2014, CN8-TV aired “Art Fennell Reports,” where Fennell was executive producer and anchor.
Fennell has also served on special assignments for TV-ONE and led the network’s live national coverage of “The Michael Jackson Memorial” from Los Angeles, “The Democratic National Convention” from Denver, “Election Night 2008” from Chicago, and the historic “Inauguration of President Barack Obama” from Washington, DC. In addition, he taught as an adjunct communications professor at Delaware State University.
Fennell served as president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) from 1995 to 1997. He also served on the boards of UNITY: Journalists of Color and the NABJ, as well as president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and founding president of the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals. In 2001, he founded The Arthur Fennell Foundation, which is committed to raising funds and awareness to assist community based organizations dealing with disease, education and prevention in diverse, under-served populations.
Throughout his career, Fennell has been honored with more than seventy-five awards, including the prestigious Vanguard Award presented by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He also received the 2009 “Journalist of The Year Award” for his work in the Philadelphia region and the 2006 Emmy Award for “Outstanding News Anchor” in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Art Fennell was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on June 12, 2014.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Art Fennell's interview
- Art Fennell lists his favorites
- Art Fennell describes his mother's family background, pt. 1
- Art Fennell describes his mother's family background, pt. 2
- Art Fennell talks about his maternal grandparents' life in South Carolina
- Art Fennell describes his maternal grandparents' occupations
- Art Fennell talks about his mother's education
- Art Fennell describes his paternal grandmother
- Art Fennell describes his paternal grandfather's occupation
- Art Fennell talks about his father's education
- Art Fennell remembers his family's ghost stories
- Art Fennell talks about how his parents met
- Art Fennell describes his father's occupations
- Art Fennell describes his parents' personalities and who he takes after
- Art Fennell lists his siblings
- Art Fennell describes his earliest childhood memory
- Art Fennell remembers the tornado that destroyed his home, pt. 1
- Art Fennell remembers the tornado that destroyed his home, pt. 2
- Art Fennell describes the sights, sounds and smells of his childhood
- Art Fennell remembers Blenheim High School in Blenheim, South Carolina
- Art Fennell remembers the ginger ale factory in Blenheim, South Carolina
- Art Fennell remembers the integration of Blenheim High School in Blenheim, South Carolina
- Art Fennell describes his early interests
- Art Fennell recalls his decision to attend South Carolina State College
- Art Fennell recalls his start in the broadcasting industry
- Art Fennell remembers working at WDIX Radio in Orangeburg, South Carolina
- Art Fennell talks about Max Robinson
- Art Fennell recalls the newscasters of his childhood
- Art Fennell talks about his influential professors
- Art Fennell remembers studying under Eloise Usher Belcher
- Art Fennell recalls his start as a photographer
- Art Fennell talks about the civil rights history of Orangeburg, South Carolina
- Art Fennell remembers his training at SCE-TV in Columbia, South Carolina
- Art Fennell describes the lack of African American politicians in South Carolina
- Art Fennell remembers Armstrong Williams
- Art Fennell describes his experiences at WBTW-TV in Florence, South Carolina
- Art Fennell remembers anchoring at WSAV-TV in Savannah, Georgia
- Art Fennell remembers moving to WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia
- Art Fennell talks about the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals
- Art Fennell recalls founding the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals
- Art Fennell talks about being recognized in public
- Art Fennell remembers joining WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Art Fennell talks about the change in network affiliation at WCAU-TV
- Art Fennell describes his experiences as a talk show host
- Art Fennell recalls becoming president of the National Association of Black Journalists
- Art Fennell remembers hosting President Bill Clinton at the NABJ national convention
- Art Fennell recalls President Bill Clinton's arrival at the NABJ national convention
- Art Fennell talks about the speakers at the NABJ national convention
- Art Fennell recalls the founding of the NABJ Media Institute
- Art Fennell talks about his time at WCAU-TV
- Art Fennell remembers founding a media consulting company
- Art Fennell remembers his awards and accolades
- Art Fennell remembers developing 'Art Fennell Reports'
- Art Fennell recalls his special assignments with TV One
- Art Fennell remembers the election of President Barack Obama
- Art Fennell talks about 'Murder in Memphis: Timeline to an Assassination'
- Art Fennell recalls the acquisition of NBC Universal by the Comcast Corporation
- Art Fennell remembers the cancellation of 'Art Fennell Reports'
- Art Fennell describes his plans for the future
- Art Fennell talks about his interest in photography
- Art Fennell reflects upon his life
- Art Fennell talks about his family
- Art Fennell describes his hopes and concerns for the African American community
- Art Fennell reflects upon his professional legacy
- Art Fennell describes how he would like to be remembered