Kanobia Russell-Blackmon

Kanobia Alanna Russell-Blackmon has spent more than two decades in broadcast news, with much of that tenure in management. Kanobia holds a baccalaureate degree in Broadcast Communication from the College of Communication and Information Sciences of The University of Alabama.

Professionally, she has worked in media markets throughout Alabama.  She served in the Birmingham market, particularly Tuscaloosa, where she worked at WCFT-33 and WTUG-FM. She worked in Mobile at WKRG-TV5 as an editor, reporter, and producer. Concurrently, she was an on-air personality for Mobile’s WDLT Smooth 98.3 FM Radio, where she facilitated the stations famed, “All Blues Saturday.” In 2000, she was hired as the morning news producer for WAFF-48. After having produced the 5:00am, the 6:00am, the 5:00pm, 6:00pm and 10:00pm newscasts, she was promoted to Executive Producer.

In her role as Executive Producer for WAFF-48, Raycom Media’s NBC affiliate in Huntsville, Alabama, she managed and led anchors, reporters, meteorologists and the production staff. Over the years, she has produced varying newscasts and specials. Notably, she was the executive producer of “Coastal Crisis: Impact Alabama,” leading a team comprised of the resources of five television stations to air a live, hour-long special about the Gulf oil spill’s impact on the Gulf Coast. Her work experience has afforded her the opportunity to demonstrate strong initiative with the proven ability to prioritize and manage projects in a busy, fast-paced, multitasking environment. These experiences have enabled her not only to understand the complexities of management, but also to lead in various other professional contexts.

Kanobia has served the community and the Church faithfully as a member of the Board of Directors of Christmas Charities Year-Round serving Huntsville-Madison County, the Interfaith Mission Service of North Alabama, the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. During her tenure leading Saint Francis of Assisi Court No. 286, Kanobia piloted the efforts to found a scholarship luncheon in Huntsville, Alabama. A major fundraiser for the Knights of Peter Claver in North Alabama, the formal luncheon raises money for scholarships to graduating high school seniors and Holy Family Regional School in Huntsville. As a result of her direction, the endeavor has been quite profitable for the scholarship fund.

Most notably, Kanobia is responsible for Make a Joyful Noise, the multimillion dollar capital campaign to build a worship space and sanctuary for Saint Joseph Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Having kicked off the campaign in September 2007, having broken ground the following year, the church was dedicated in November 2010 by Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham, Bishop Emeritus David E. Foley of Birmingham, and Superior General of the Society of the Divine Savior Father Andrew Urbanski.

As a result of her work for the Church and the community, Kanobia is a recipient of the Knights of Peter Claver Gold Medal of Merit. This award, the highest honor of the Order, was bestowed upon her as she was found to have contributed toward the advancement of mutual understanding, enhanced the focus on life and justice, and enriched the prestige and dignity of the human person — improving human relations of all God’s people.

Kanobia is presently engaged as a correspondent for The Catholic Spirit, the monthly newspaper of the Diocese of Austin. She is married to DeKarlos Blackmon, the Secretariat Director of Life, Charity, and Justice for the Diocese of Austin and former Supreme Knight and Chief Executive Officer of the Knights of Peter Claver.