Honoring the outstanding work of News 4 & Fox 29's Group News Director Blaise Labbe

As we celebrate Black History Month, we are recognizing outstanding leaders in our community.

On Tuesday, we are honoring one of our own.

Blaise Labbe is not only making a difference overseeing news operations here in San Antonio; he's also helping to change perceptions in communities around the country.

"I like to work out in the morning because it helps me get my day started," said Blaise Labbe.

He's committed to his health and fitness.

"It helps me clear my mind, plus it just makes you feel good," Blaise said.

He's committed to his faith and family; both at home, and to his news family on the job.

"It is the most important thing to me in my life," Blaise said.

Blaise Labbe says his commitments play an important role in helping him excel in his role as Group News Director at News 4 and Fox San Antonio.

It’s a job that in today's climate comes with its own set of challenges.

Even when it doesn't come easy, Blaise pushes through.

"Being able to focus and then finish and have that sense of accomplishment in the end," Blaise said.

The 55-year-old keeps the same focus and perseverance on his goal of maintaining diversity in the newsroom.

"When it comes to news coverage, diversity is important because it's the images that are portrayed that help shape people's vision and thought processes," Blaise said.

He says having a diverse group of employees both on-air and behind the scenes helps make sure different points of view are represented.

"Having a diverse newsroom helps bring all of those factions together and it finds that common ground and that bridge because having the diversity generates dialogue," Blaise said.

And it does not stop there.

Blaise encourages his team to place an emphasis on inclusion and diversity when it comes to people interviewed and featured on air.

"We don't always have to see Caucasian lawyers,” Blaise explained. “There are black law experts or Hispanic law experts. There are people of color in all walks of expertise; even people of different sexual orientations. Let's hear from those people. Driving a newsroom, it's important that kind of diversity is in your coverage."

His approach to leadership extends beyond San Antonio.

As Group News Director, Blaise oversees news operations at 23 Sinclair-owned television stations across six states.

"It's about making a difference and it's about empowering and making the communities better," Blaise said.

17-years ago Blaise made history as the first black news director in Oklahoma City.

"I never thought about it that way,” Blaise recounted. “I was just happy to get my first news director job."

Since then, this trailblazer has gone on to make outstanding achievements in journalism, including two Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Here in San Antonio, he has played an important role in helping the MLK Commission raise more than $400,000 in scholarship funds for San Antonio students.

"I'm very proud of that," Blaise said.

His impact across the country is how Blaise Labbe is making a difference. It’s something years ago he thought was beyond reach.

"I was a little boy in Lafayette, Louisiana, grew up in a shotgun house and would have never dreamed that I could be where I am today,” Blaise reflected. “So it's a blessing."

Blaise has served as a dedicated journalist in San Antonio a total of twelve years.

As News Director at KWTV, the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City, Blaise’s leadership helped the station excel in ratings finishing as the number one late newscast in the country eight times in 7 years.

As News Director at KCTV in Kansas City, Blaise lead the station to become the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year three consecutive years, won three Regional Edward R Murrow awards, was voted best newscast in the state of Missouri twice by the Missouri Broadcasters Association, and was voted the top broadcast website in the Kansas City Market. The station also won the prestigious Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism beating “CBS 60 Minutes” and “Jim Lehrer The News Hour” The station won 5 Emmy’s including the 2012 Emmy for News Excellence.

Blaise has been recognized by the United States Secretary of Commerce winning the National Minority Business Development Agency’s Cornerstone Award for outstanding community service, media coverage and commitment to promoting diversity in businesses. He has won several Emmys, a Telly, and two National Award of Excellence from the National Association of Black Journalist. One for a series he shot and helped produce on the plight of black males in America. The other Award of Excellence was a documentary he helped produce in San Antonio on the 30th Anniversary of the largest Martin Luther King march in the country. He also has several honors from the National Press Photographers Association and the Dallas Press Club.