slanier19@nul.org
Speaker Bio
Shannon LaNier is a veteran news anchor, author and actor who has been keeping audiences tuned in and engaged his entire career.
The Emmy-Award winner currently anchors the CW39’s morning show “Morning Dose” in Houston, TX. Previously, he hosted “Arise Entertainment 360,” a global entertainment series broadcast out of New York City. During his 15 years in the Big Apple, LaNier also worked as a senior producer and correspondent on Black Enterprise magazine’s nationally-syndicated series, “Black Enterprise Business Report” and “Our World with Black Enterprise.”
An acclaimed author, the Cincinnati native co-wrote, with photojournalist Jan Feldman, “Jefferson’s Children: The Story of One American Family” (Random House). The book follows his journey to uncover his heritage as the 6th great grandson of President Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings. Jefferson's Children received a Best Books Award from the American Library Association.
On top of his full TV schedule, LaNier was recently an adjunct communications professor at Iona College. He is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the National Association of Black Journalists and his church. Shannon is currently co-authoring three books dealing with social, cultural and equality issues. He lives between New York and Houston with his wife/college sweetheart Chandra and their three children.