CNN Journalist Soledad O’Brien to Visit UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Soledad O’Brien, award-winning journalist and anchor for CNN’s special investigations unit, will speak at The University of Alabama Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Ballroom as part of her national tour.

There will be a question-and-answer session following her talk, “Diversity: On TV, Behind the Scenes and In Our Lives.”

O’Brien will focus on the importance of recognizing cultural diversity through her experiences as a journalist and growing up with Latino, African and Australian descent in the United States.

“Soledad O’Brien is known for her groundbreaking work in helping Americans understand social ills, said Dr. Lowell Davis, UA assistant dean of students. “The University of Alabama is excited to have this phenomenal journalist on our campus.”

O’Brien joined the CNN team in 2003 as a co-anchor on “American Morning” and has distinguished herself by reporting on the scene for major stories including Hurricane Katrina, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011, London terrorist attacks of 2005 and the tsunami in Thailand in 2004. She has produced a number of award-winning documentaries, including the series “Latino in America” and “Black in America” in 2007-2009.

Her talk at UA is jointly sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Commerce and Business Administration, College of Communication and Information Sciences, Honors College, Blackburn Institute, Capstone Conversations and the Ferguson Center Student Union.