Soledad O'Brien

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, documentarian, news anchor and producer. O’Brien is one of the most sought-after journalists today. In June 2013, O’Brien launched Starfish Media Group, a multi-platform media production and distribution company, dedicated to uncovering and producing empowering stories that take a challenging look at the often divisive issues of race, class, wealth, poverty, and opportunity through personal narratives.

O’Brien was the originator of the highly successful CNN documentary series, “Black in America” and “Latino in America,” which continues to be produced under Starfish Media Group (“SMG”).

In 2003, O’Brien joined CNN, where she anchored the morning news program for many years. O’Brien’s coverage of race issues has won her two Emmy awards and she earned a third for her reporting on the 2012 presidential election. Her coverage of Hurricane Katrina for CNN earned her and the network a George Foster Peabody Award.

O’Brien was named journalist of the year in 2010 by the National Association of Black Journalists and one of Newsweek magazine’s “10 People who Make America Great”, in 2006.

In 2013, Harvard University, her alma mater, named O’Brien a Distinguished Fellow. She was also appointed to the board of directors of the Foundation for the National Archives that same year.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, O’Brien and her husband, Brad, created the Soledad O’Brien & Brad Raymond Starfish Foundation to help disadvantaged young women get to and through college. Participants engage in activities and experiences that break down stereotypes and remove the limitations society has assigned due to gender, race and economic and social inequalities. By providing resources to overcome barriers, the Foundation helps each young woman reach her highest potential.