Romona Robinson

Last updated

Romona Robinson
Born1959 (age 63–64)
Wilson City, Missouri
OccupationTelevision news anchor
Years active1981–2018
SpouseRodney Tyler
Parent
  • Henrietta Robinson (mother)
AwardsEight-time Lower Great Lakes Emmy Awards winner
2014 Edward R. Murrow Award
Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Cleveland Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame

Romona Robinson (born 1959) [1] is an American television news anchor in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the first African American woman to anchor a nightly newscast in Cleveland, and the first solo anchor of a weeknight newscast in that city. She is a member of the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and is an eight-time recipient of the Lower Great Lakes Emmy Awards. She is currently retired, having appeared weeknights on Cleveland TV newscasts for 30 years - first on then independent station (now CW affiliate WUAB channel 43 (1988-1997), later on NBC affiliate WKYC channel 3 (1997-2011), and finally on CBS affiliate WOIO Channel 19 (2012-2018).

Contents

Early life and education

Robinson was born in 1959 in Wilson City, Missouri. She was one of 10 girls and one boy in her family. [1] Her mother, Henrietta Robinson, [1] was a seamstress and maintained a small farm behind their house. [2] Romona earned a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. [3]

Career

Robinson entered the broadcasting field in 1981 as a record player at a country-western music station in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 1982 she joined a television station as a sports reporter and weekend news anchor. In 1985 she moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to take up a television news anchor position. [4]

In 1987 she applied for a news anchor position at the new 10 O'Clock News newscast at WUAB in Cleveland, Ohio. Her demo tape included "a shot of her being wiped out by a hurricane-whipped wave", which impressed the producers due to her poise and self-confidence. [4] Her appointment made her the first African-American woman to anchor a nightly newscast in Cleveland. [4] In 1990 she introduced a segment called "Romona's Kids", spotlighting children doing positive work for their communities, which she continues to host at WKYC. [5]

Robinson remained at WUAB until 1997, when the station changed ownership. [4] She left WUAB in February 1997 without another position lined up, and was hired in March by Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC Channel 3. [6] Per her contract with WUAB, she was assigned to "special projects" for five months and then began anchoring and reporting on air in September 1997. [7] From 1999 to 2008 she co-anchored with Tim White, but when WKYC opted not to renew White's contract, Robinson became solo anchor of the evening newscasts on WKYC in late 2008, making her the first African American woman to be the solo anchor of a weeknight newscast in Cleveland. [8] In 2011 she was one of four reporters invited to the White House for one-on-one interviews with President Barack Obama. [9] [10] [11]

When her contract expired on December 16, 2011, Robinson ended her 15-year affiliation with Channel 3. [12] [13] In January 2012 she signed with CBS affiliate WOIO channel 19 as their afternoon and evening anchor. [14] [2] Robinson left WOIO at the end of 2018. [15]

Other activities

Robinson has been the Honorary Chair for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure since 1996. [3] [16] She is active in numerous communal and charity organizations, including the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, Coats for Kids and Shoes for Kids, and United Way. [3] [17]

She appeared in a cameo role playing a reporter in a first-season episode of the ABC television series The Commish , which aired on March 21, 1992. [18]

Honors and awards

Robinson was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame [5] and the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. [19] [20] She is an eight-time recipient of the Lower Great Lakes Emmy Award [3] and received the 2014 Edward R. Murrow Award, together with co-anchor Denise Dufala, for breaking news coverage in reporting on the Ariel Castro kidnappings in Cleveland. [21] [22]

She also received the 2008 Kent State University Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award [23] and the 2011 Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Greater Cleveland. [17] [24]

Personal

Robinson married Rodney Tyler, a technology consultant and father of two, in 2004. [4] [25] She and her husband are members of the Mount Zion Church in Oakwood Village, Ohio, where Robinson is often asked to say inspirational words from the pulpit. [4]

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEWS-TV</span> ABC affiliate in Cleveland

WEWS-TV is a television station in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, affiliated with ABC. It has been owned by the E. W. Scripps Company since its inception in 1946, making it one of three stations that have been built and signed on by Scripps. WEWS-TV's studios are located on Euclid Avenue in Downtown Cleveland, and its transmitter is located in suburban Parma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon Bibb</span> American journalist

Leon Bibb is an American news anchor and commentator for WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a member of the BGSU Board of Trustees. Leon Bibb was the first African American primetime news anchor in Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOIO</span> CBS/MyNetworkTV affiliate in Shaker Heights, Ohio

WOIO is a television station licensed to Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States, serving the Cleveland area as an affiliate of CBS. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate WTCL-LD and Lorain-licensed CW affiliate WUAB, the latter station transmitting over WOIO's full-power spectrum via a channel sharing agreement. WOIO, WUAB and WTCL-LD share studios on the ground floor of the Reserve Square building in Downtown Cleveland, with WOIO and WUAB sharing transmitter facilities at the West Creek Reservation in Parma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WUAB</span> CW affiliate in Lorain, Ohio

WUAB is a television station licensed to Lorain, Ohio, United States, serving the Cleveland area as an affiliate of The CW. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power Telemundo affiliate WTCL-LD and Shaker Heights–licensed CBS affiliate WOIO, the latter station whose full-power spectrum WUAB transmits over via a channel sharing agreement. WUAB, WOIO and WTCL-LD share studios on the ground floor of the Reserve Square building in Downtown Cleveland, with WUAB and WOIO sharing transmitter facilities at the West Creek Reservation in Parma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBNX-TV</span> Independent TV station in Akron, Ohio

WBNX-TV is an independent television station licensed to Akron, Ohio, United States, serving the Cleveland area. The station is owned by the Winston Broadcasting Network subsidiary of locally based Ernest Angley Ministries, operating as a for-profit arm of the company. WBNX-TV's studios are located on State Road in suburban Cuyahoga Falls, in a building which also houses Winston Broadcasting's television production facilities. The station's transmitter is located in Parma, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKYC</span> NBC affiliate in Cleveland

WKYC is a television station in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Tegna Inc. Its studios are located on Tom Beres Way, and its transmitter is located in suburban Parma, Ohio.

WQHS-DT is a television station in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, broadcasting the Spanish-language Univision and UniMás networks. Owned and operated by TelevisaUnivision, it is the only full-power Spanish-language television station in the state of Ohio. WQHS-DT's studios and transmitter are located on West Ridgewood Drive in suburban Parma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKBF-TV</span> TV station in Cleveland (1968–1975)

WKBF-TV was a television station that broadcast on channel 61 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, from January 1968 to April 1975. Owned and operated by Kaiser Broadcasting as one of an eventual group of six stations, it was the first ultra high frequency (UHF) independent station to serve northeast Ohio and the last outlet constructed by the Kaiser chain during the 1960s to begin operations. Despite airing several high-profile local programs, Kaiser's efforts to establish itself in Cleveland never took root because of the establishment of a second independent outlet, WUAB, later that same year, as well as general stagnation in the Cleveland market. In April 1975, Kaiser shut WKBF-TV down and sold its programming inventory to WUAB in exchange for a minority stake in that station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJW (TV)</span> Fox affiliate in Cleveland

WJW is a television station in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, WJW maintains studios on Dick Goddard Way just northeast of downtown Cleveland near the shore of Lake Erie, and its transmitter is located in the Cleveland suburb of Parma, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTCL-LD</span> Low-power Telemundo affiliate in Cleveland

WTCL-LD is a low-power television station in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, affiliated with Telemundo. It is owned by Gray Television alongside two full-power sister stations: Shaker Heights–licensed CBS affiliate WOIO and Lorain–licensed CW affiliate WUAB ; WTCL-LD also functions as an ultra high frequency (UHF) repeater for WOIO and WUAB. All three stations share studios at Reserve Square in downtown Cleveland; WTCL-LD's transmitter is located in suburban Parma.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Savidge</span> American television news correspondent (born 1958)

Martin "The Savage" Savidge is a Canadian-American television news correspondent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Donovan (sportscaster)</span> American sportscaster

James Francis Donovan III is an American radio and television personality who serves as sports director and news anchor for WKYC channel 3 (NBC) in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns Radio Network since 1999.

Harry Boomer is a broadcast journalist, reporter and newscaster for radio and television. He currently is the senior reporter for CBS affiliate WOIO and CW affiliate WUAB, both located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Wilma Smith is a former American local television news anchor who spent most of her career in Cleveland, Ohio. She was with Fox affiliate WJW-TV from 1994 to 2013, following 17 years at ABC affiliate WEWS-TV.

Gib Shanley was an American sportscaster, most prominently known as sports director for ABC affiliate WEWS-TV, Channel 5 in Cleveland, Ohio, and as the longtime play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOHZ-CD</span> Class A TV station based in Canton, Ohio

WOHZ-CD is a low-power, Class A television station in Canton, Ohio, United States. Owned by Gray Television, it serves as an ultra high frequency (UHF) translator of Cleveland–licensed Telemundo affiliate WTCL-LD, which itself is a repeater for Shaker Heights–licensed CBS affiliate WOIO and Lorain–licensed CW affiliate WUAB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Graner</span>

James R. Graner was the weeknight sports anchor for Cleveland NBC affiliate KYW-TV beginning in 1957. He also served as color commentator for the Cleveland Browns Radio Network, most notably alongside Cleveland sportscaster Gib Shanley.

Jeff Phelps is a Cleveland, Ohio sportscaster who currently works as the television pregame/postgame host for Cleveland Cavaliers telecasts on Fox Sports Ohio, the pregame/postgame host for Cleveland Browns radio broadcasts, and is a midday co-host on WKRK-FM in Cleveland.

Theodore "Ted" C. Henry is a retired television news anchor whose career spanned 44 years in the Northeast Ohio area, most notably as the primary news anchor on Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS channel 5.

Robin Swoboda is an American television news anchor, talk show host, and actress in Cleveland, Ohio, best known for her career on various television and radio stations primarily in Cleveland, as well as hosting national television programs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Washington, Julie (December 7, 2011). "Robinson timeline". Cleveland Plain Dealer . Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Segall, Dan (February 5, 2015). "TV's Romona Robinson feels anchored in town: My Cleveland". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Romona Robinson". WOIO . February 3, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Washington, Julie (March 7, 2009). "Romona Robinson undaunted by risky solo-anchor format on TV". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Broadcasters Hall of Fame: Romona Robinson". Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  6. ↑ Feran, Tom (March 26, 1997). "Romona Robinson signs with Channel 3". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Broadcast TV (includes multiple briefs on employees and executives)". Broadcasting & Cable . April 21, 1997. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  8. ↑ Dawidziak, Mark (January 24, 2012). "Romona Robinson Moving to Channel 19". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  9. ↑ Gauthier, Andrew (April 27, 2011). "White House Interview Round-Up: WSB, WXYZ, WTKR, WKYC Sit Down with Obama". TV Spy. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ "WKYC's Romona Robinson interviews President Obama". WKYC . April 27, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  11. ↑ "Obama strongly disapproves of public union limits". AP Online. April 26, 2011. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  12. ↑ Knox, Merrill (December 8, 2011). "After Contract Negotiations Fail, Romona Robinson Will Leave WKYC". TV Spy. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  13. ↑ "News Focus". Cleveland Magazine . May 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  14. ↑ Knox, Merrill (January 25, 2012). "Former WKYC Anchor Romona Robinson Will Join Rival WOIO-WUAB". TV Spy. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  15. ↑ Dawidziak, Mark (October 4, 2018). "Romona Robinson leaving WOIO Channel 19". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Komen Races for the Cure Registration". Facebook. April 1, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Romona Robinson honored at 2011 Women of Achievement program". WKYC. May 16, 2011. Archived from the original on February 6, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  18. ↑ "The Commish: Sex, Lies and Kerosene". Internet Movie Database. 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Awards for Excellence". Cleveland Association of Broadcasters. 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  20. ↑ Macek, Frank L. (April 23, 2009). "News: Romona Inducted Into Cleveland Association of Broadcaster's Hall of Fame". WKYC Director's Cut. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Region 7". Radio Television Digital News Association . Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  22. ↑ "WOIO Breaking News ("Found Alive")". YouTube. February 19, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  23. ↑ Kuntzman, Lindsay (January–February 2009). "Kent State Honors Howard University Dean and Cleveland News Anchor for Diversity in Media" (PDF). African American Lifestyle Magazine: 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 2, 2010.
  24. ↑ "2011 Awards Luncheon". YWCA of Greater Cleveland. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  25. ↑ Thompson, Lynne (2007). "Romona Gets Hitched". elegantweddingmag.com. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.