Diann Burns
Encyclopedia
Diann Burns is the first African-American woman to anchor the prime time news in Chicago and did so from 1985 to 2008, anchoring the 4pm, 5pm and 10pm news every weekday.
in Cleveland Ohio for The Plain Dealer in the 1970s. In 1983, she joined NBC
affiliated WCMH television as a general assignment reporter, where she was named anchor reporter in 1984. From 1985 until 2003, she was the 5pm & 10pm weekday news anchor at American Broadcasting Company
(ABC) owned & operated WLS-TV Chicago, where she was Chicago's highest-paid television news personality before joining WBBM-TV
in 2003 as the weekday 4pm, 5pm & 10pm news anchor, until leaving WBBM in 2008. WBBM is owned & operated by CBS
(Columbia Broadcasting System. (ABC) is owned & operated by The Walt Disney Company
.
She is the spokesperson for Pediatric Aids Chicago. Burns also works with "Girls in the Game", an organization that promotes fitness and health as a way to teach girls to persevere and gain confidence to careers.
Burns also is active with the Ronald McDonald House, the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and The Support Group, an organization that assists high school students with school work and home life by providing tutoring and social services.
Burns lends her time and talent to the benefit of numerous other causes, especially organizations that focus on children and education.
and a Masters degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
in New York.
Career Outline
Diann Burns began her career as a print journalistJournalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
in Cleveland Ohio for The Plain Dealer in the 1970s. In 1983, she joined NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliated WCMH television as a general assignment reporter, where she was named anchor reporter in 1984. From 1985 until 2003, she was the 5pm & 10pm weekday news anchor at American Broadcasting Company
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
(ABC) owned & operated WLS-TV Chicago, where she was Chicago's highest-paid television news personality before joining WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
in 2003 as the weekday 4pm, 5pm & 10pm news anchor, until leaving WBBM in 2008. WBBM is owned & operated by CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
(Columbia Broadcasting System. (ABC) is owned & operated by The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
.
Most Dangerous Live Reports
- War-torn Somalia, where she was NOT embedded with US troops, but on her own. No makeup, no lighting, no running water.
- Reporting live just outside a house rigged with enough explosives to destroy the entire neighborhood—the bomb was part of a booby-trap left for rescuers and police responding to the body in a suicide.
Most Dramatic Live On-Camera Moments
- With Nelson Mandela during his first US tour after his release from 27 years in prison.
- Questioning the man who murdered the father of Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
.
Volunteer Work & Philanthropy
Burns has awarded record scholarships for underprivileged students to go to college.She is the spokesperson for Pediatric Aids Chicago. Burns also works with "Girls in the Game", an organization that promotes fitness and health as a way to teach girls to persevere and gain confidence to careers.
Burns also is active with the Ronald McDonald House, the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and The Support Group, an organization that assists high school students with school work and home life by providing tutoring and social services.
Burns lends her time and talent to the benefit of numerous other causes, especially organizations that focus on children and education.
Education
Burns has an undergraduate degree in Politics and Mass Communications from Cleveland State UniversityCleveland State University
Cleveland State University is a public university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 when the state of Ohio assumed control of Fenn College, and it absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1969...
and a Masters degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is one of Columbia's graduate and professional schools. It offers three degree programs: Master of Science in journalism , Master of Arts in journalism and a Ph.D. in communications...
in New York.
Family
Burns and her grade-school aged son reside in Chicago's Lincoln Park, see Chicago Tribune: "http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_10_60/ai_n14835532".Film Credits
Burns appeared in several major motion pictures, playing herself, including:- Richie RichRichie RichRichard "Richie" Rich, Jr. is a fictional character that debuted in Harvey Comics' Little Dot #1, cover-dated September 1953. Dubbed "the poor little rich boy", Richie is the only child of fantastically wealthy parents and is the world's richest kid. He lives and works in an expensive mansion and...
1994, starring Macaulay CulkinMacaulay CulkinMacaulay Carson Culkin is an American actor. He became widely known for his portrayal of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He is also known for his roles in Richie Rich, Uncle Buck, My Girl, The Pagemaster, and Party Monster...
. - Primal Fear (film)Primal Fear (film)Primal Fear is a 1996 American crime drama thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Richard Gere and Edward Norton. The film tells the story of a defense attorney, Martin Vail , who defends an altar boy, Aaron Stampler , charged with the murder of a Catholic archbishop. The movie is an...
1996, starring Richard GereRichard GereRichard Tiffany Gere is an American actor. He began acting in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol...
. - The NegotiatorThe NegotiatorThe Negotiator is a 1998 drama-thriller film directed by F. Gary Gray, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey. It takes place in Chicago and was released on July 29, 1998. The original music score was composed by Graeme Revell.-Plot:...
1998, starring Samuel L. JacksonSamuel L. JacksonSamuel Leroy Jackson is an American film and television actor and film producer. After becoming involved with the Civil Rights Movement, he moved on to acting in theater at Morehouse College, and then films. He had several small roles such as in the film Goodfellas before meeting his mentor,...
.