Congratulations to CBK Media Management client Deanna Allbrittin on signing a new contract with WRIC (ABC) and being named Weekday News Anchor/Development & Engagement Manager. In her new role, Deanna moves from Weeknight News Anchor (5 PM/5:30 PM/6 PM/11 PM) to Weekday News Anchor (4 PM/5 PM/6 PM). Deanna will provide more support in the development of reporters, from owning beats to producing more data-driven stories. Deanna will also help with coordinating station public events and continue to make contributions to WRIC’s Taking Action and Positively Richmond brands.
An award-winning journalist, Deanna first joined WRIC in Richmond, VA in May 2021. Deanna’s 2023 story on “Retracing My Roots”, was honored with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and a Virginias Associated Broadcasters Award. “Retracing My Roots” was also nominated for a Capital Emmys nomination. Deanna’s special series retraced her family’s roots back to a former plantation where her ancestors were enslaved just an hour from Richmond. Deanna’s work on-air and behind the scenes during a 2023 high school graduation ceremony shooting also helped WRIC win a VAPB First Place Award in Best Spot News Coverage. The Associated Press and Virginia Associated Broadcasters also honored Deanna with awards for her investigative story on the state’s inaction against a nursing home operator with hundreds of neglect complaints.
Prior to joining WRIC, Deanna worked in Orlando, FL as a News Reporter/Fill-In Anchor for WFTV (ABC). While in Orlando, Deanna produced a number of stories focused on data-driven and investigative stories. Deanna was nominated for a series of consumer investigations into high water bills and predatory leasing in affordable housing. She also covered a number of national stories including the George Floyd 2020 summer protests in Orlando and NASA’s return to manned spaceflight. Before Orlando, Deanna worked in Indianapolis as a News Reporter/Fill-In Anchor at WXIN (FOX)/WTTV (CBS). Deanna was nominated and won various awards for her reporting on lawmakers’ mishandling of money meant to fix Indianapolis’ streets and failures by wireless providers during 911 calls that led to serious injuries and deaths.
Deanna is a proud graduate of the Indiana University School of Journalism. During her college days, Deanna traveled to eight different countries for study abroad. She was also the student commencement speaker at Indiana University. Deanna started her career with a paid on-air internship at WSJV in South Bend, IN, then freelance reporting throughout Chile, in South America. She returned to the U.S. to Evansville, IN and worked as a Morning News Anchor/Reporter at WFIE (NBC). While at WFIE, Deanna’s work was recognized by the Indiana Associated Press. Deanna is a member of the National Association Of Black Journalists and she’s the former Indiana Association of Black Journalists Secretary. #TeamCBK