Art Fennell
BIOGRAPHY
Art Fennell is an Emmy-Award winning nationally known journalist with a forthright point of view. He is a man with something to say and a talent for saying it. With more than 20 years experience in the media, Fennell has an untarnished reputation and is highly respected among his peers. His current assignment is Executive Producer and Anchor of “Art Fennell Reports”, a candid and honest news magazine program focusing on national and regional news and sports, in-depth reports on issues and interviews with national newsmakers. The program is seen on the Comcast Network based in Philadelphia. Prior to formatting and launching “Art Fennell Reports”, he was Principal Anchor and Managing Editor for CN8 News on the Comcast Network. Highly accomplished, Fennell is the recipient of 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. He has also received awards for his documentary work.
Fennell , who also serves on Special Assignments for TV-ONE, lead the networks 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. He has also conducted an exclusive one on one interview with Barack Obama, His professional background entails leadership positions in newsrooms across the country including anchor, reporter, host, producer and photographer. His other assignments include NBC-10 in Philadelphia, WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia; WSAV-TV in Savannah, Georgia; WCBD-TV in Charleston, South Carolina; WBTW-TV in Florence, South Carolina and The South Carolina Educational Television Network.
Throughout his career, Fennell has been honored with more than 100 awards for his work in journalism and community service, including the prestigious “Vanguard Award” presented by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. The Vanguard Award is presented to an honoree who has exemplified commitment and dedication to his community, craft and industry.
Fennell is past president of the National Association of Black Journalists. NABJ is the largest professional organization of journalists of color in the world. During his tenure as President of the NABJ, Fennell was named by Ebony Magazine as "One of the top 100 most influential African Americans in the country" . He also is a past president of “Unity Journalists of Color”. In addition to his organizational service on the national level, Fennell served on the local chapter level in Philadelphia and Hampton Roads, Virginia. He is the founding President for the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals. A dynamic and captivating motivational speaker, Fennell has shared national speaking platforms with Former President Bill Clinton, Former Vice-President Al Gore, and comedian Bill Cosby. He also consults nationally with clients on image enhancement and professional development of their communications skills. He is a former adjunct communications professor at Delaware State University.
In 2001, he founded “The Arthur Fennell Foundation” (www.arthurfennellfoundation.org), which is a public, charitable, non-profit organization. The foundation is committed to raising funds and awareness to assist community based organizations in the Philadelphia region dealing with disease, education and prevention in diverse, under-served populations. Some of the national health organizations that the foundation supports include: The American Diabetes Association, The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, and the Sickle Cell Anemia Society.
Each year the foundation hosts the “Arthur Fennell Celebrity Billiards Championship” as its primary fundraiser. National celebrities from the recording industry, professional sports, television and entertainment take their "cue" from Fennell by playing team billiards in a fun-filled format before a crowd of spectators. The Billiards Championship is aired in a one-hour television special.
Born and raised in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Fennell is one of 12 children. He is married with two daughters and resides in New Jersey. he holds a communications degree from South Carolina State University.