ODE TO CALEB: CNN'S T.J. HOLMES (Pt.2): News Anchor discusses his personal life, being a living example to others and his responsibility to the Black community.

     The day that I interviewed T.J. he was preparing to fill in for Rick Sanchez, who anchors the 3 pm to 4 pm CNN Newsroom slot each weekday afternoon.  He walked into the room with the same great big smile that you see greeting you each weekend morning.

     He is very personable. The kind of guy you could hang out with at a football game, or a home gathering of family and friends. He is also very energetic - - a quality that I somehow expected. And, just in case you’re wondering, the guy you see on camera is the same guy that you get off camera.

     “The biggest compliment is when somebody will say to me, maybe in a grocery store or whatever it may be 'oh, you are just like you are on TV.' That is the greatest compliment because [my personality] is coming across. A live interview gives you an opportunity to show that personality, to interact more.” 

     His career is important and says he reached his professional goals at the age of 26. So, when CNN came knocking he was ready to take on the challenge.

     “I had some interaction with CNN and some people here over the years, even as far back as when I was in Little Rock, Arkansas. They were aware of me. I was not necessarily pursing CNN. When it came time to leave California, I was looking for opportunities, this one came up. I love the south. I love Atlanta.  And, you really can’t say no to CNN.

     “Since becoming a part of the CNN team," T.J. says his work day is anything but ordinary. “It’s typical for my day to be unpredictable.  I might be in NY filling in on American Morning.  I might be reporting live in the middle of floodwaters in Atlanta.  I might be in L.A. shooting a story for my weekend show.  I might be making an appearance at an event somewhere.  Who knows?  I’m all over the place.”  

     That means that T.J. is getting lots of exposure as television news journalist. And, given that, the one thing that cannot be ignored is the fact that there are very few Black network news anchors. So we wondered, as a Black journalist is there a greater sense of responsibility to the black community??

     “I think we all have a responsibility to our communities, no matter what field we happen to be in … whether you’re a teacher, a coach, a local florist, [or a] mailman, whatever.  Our responsibility is to live an exemplary life,” he comments.  “Yes, I devote a lot of my personal time to community events, non-profit organization, etc., but even if I didn’t, I still think I can serve my community by setting a good example for young people.  Simply seeing a young, Black, college-educated man working as an anchor on the world’s premiere news network can serve to inspire young Black kids and give them something to aspire to.”    

     Holmes also hopes to inspire young men to be committed and faithful husbands by becoming one.  T.J. and fiancée Marilee, an Atlanta based attorney plan to marry March 2010.

     “We all have it in us to want to be seen, rich and famous. But wanting to be famous and known for the right reason is important,” he admits. “I tie that to family and marriage, in that, I can set a great example doing what I do and being a committed and faithful husband.”

     T.J. says that he is often questioned about his decision to tie the knot, especially at a time when his popularity is rising and when he is at the height of his career, but T.J. will have none of it. 

     “That’s silly to me… You grow up and you realize that you don’t want to be that 55 year old man in the club one day. You get to a point where you mature and your experiences shape you … family, friends, your surroundings,” says Holmes. “I have certainly been affected by the woman who I am going to marry. You find someone who is a good friend that you can have everything with. [Someone] you can build an empire with – one of my best friends in college always used [that phrase],” he comments.

     “She is that and I am happy to have her. I know that I can do a lot more and be a lot more, and set a good example as a young married man.”

     T.J. has certainly found the formula that works for his life. When asked if there were any regrets along the way, he contends that his decisions have helped him become who he is today.

     “I am happy where I am in my life. If anything along the way would have happened differently, I might not be where I am today.  Everything that has happened to me along the way, good or bad has gotten me to this point in my life.  So, it’s hard to regret anything I’ve done or any decision I’ve made because it’s all led me to where I am today.”

(Read part 1, here.)