NABJ Congratulates TJ Holmes on his Move to BET

College Park, MD (December 7, 2011) – Today the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) congratulates member T.J. Holmes on his decision to move to BET.

BET has announced a multi-platform deal with Holmes which includes a newly developed show hosted by the veteran journalist on BET, as well as content on BET.com in which Holmes will report on important and interesting stories for BET’s growing audience.

Holmes currently anchors CNN Saturday & Sunday Morning, the weekend edition of CNN Newsroom. He joined the network in October of 2006.

"NABJ extends our sincere congratulations to T.J. on his move to BET and applaud the network for reemphasizing the importance of news as part of its programming," said NABJ President, Gregory Lee Jr."This loss leaves CNN with one less journalist of color on the air. We hope CNN replaces T.J. with a journalist who reflects the network's continued commitment to diversity and we hope that person is not limited to working weekends, like most of CNN’s other African American anchors."

Since joining CNN, Holmes has anchored numerous major breaking news stories, including the network’s coverage of the tornadoes that destroyed Joplin, MO, the Gulf oil spill in 2010, terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India and the conflict between Russia and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in 2008; the Virginia Tech shooting from location in Blacksburg, Virginia and the terrorist attacks at the Glasgow Airport in Scotland in 2007; and Saddam Hussein’s execution in 2006.

 "T.J. is a dear friend and valued member of NABJ and he always answers when called upon to assist the association, said NABJ Vice President of Broadcast, Bob Butler. "We're proud that T.J. will now have a unique opportunity to engage BET's audience .This couldn’t happen to a better person and we wish him much success.”

                                                                                       ###