Leon Harris (born April 20, 1961 in Akron, Ohio) is an American
journalist and newscaster. Harris was born to Leon Sr. and Lorrene
Harris in Akron, Ohio. He has three brothers: Marcus, Jerry, and J.J.,
who still reside in Akron; and a sister, Kimberly, who lives in
Houston.He graduated from Buchtel High School in 1979, and earned a
National Merit Scholarship to Ohio University, where he met his wife,
Dawn Lomax, whose family is also from Akron. Harris graduated cum
laude from Ohio University in 1983, majoring in communications. He
received an honorary Doctorate from the University in 1999.Harris
started his career at CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta in the early
1980s as an unpaid intern while completing his degree. Following
graduation in 1983, Harris started as an entry-level video journalist
and later moved up to assistant director of the satellite department
as an operator and coordinator. In that position, he oversaw and
negotiated international and domestic satellite services used to cover
new events, including the Persian Gulf War and President Ronald Reagan
and President George H.W. Bush's international trips and
summits.Harris auditioned for an anchor position during summer 1991; a
few months later he was given a full-time anchor post. Harris received
numerous awards at CNN, including several Emmy Awards for his coverage
of the 2000 presidential election, the Oklahoma City bombing and the
September 11th attacks. However, as competition increased from Fox
News, and CNN veterans such as Natalie Allen and Lou Waters were
pink-slipped in favor of Paula Zahn and Aaron Brown, Harris felt less
comfortable. His last position held at CNN was co-anchor of CNN Live
Today with Daryn Kagan.
journalist and newscaster. Harris was born to Leon Sr. and Lorrene
Harris in Akron, Ohio. He has three brothers: Marcus, Jerry, and J.J.,
who still reside in Akron; and a sister, Kimberly, who lives in
Houston.He graduated from Buchtel High School in 1979, and earned a
National Merit Scholarship to Ohio University, where he met his wife,
Dawn Lomax, whose family is also from Akron. Harris graduated cum
laude from Ohio University in 1983, majoring in communications. He
received an honorary Doctorate from the University in 1999.Harris
started his career at CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta in the early
1980s as an unpaid intern while completing his degree. Following
graduation in 1983, Harris started as an entry-level video journalist
and later moved up to assistant director of the satellite department
as an operator and coordinator. In that position, he oversaw and
negotiated international and domestic satellite services used to cover
new events, including the Persian Gulf War and President Ronald Reagan
and President George H.W. Bush's international trips and
summits.Harris auditioned for an anchor position during summer 1991; a
few months later he was given a full-time anchor post. Harris received
numerous awards at CNN, including several Emmy Awards for his coverage
of the 2000 presidential election, the Oklahoma City bombing and the
September 11th attacks. However, as competition increased from Fox
News, and CNN veterans such as Natalie Allen and Lou Waters were
pink-slipped in favor of Paula Zahn and Aaron Brown, Harris felt less
comfortable. His last position held at CNN was co-anchor of CNN Live
Today with Daryn Kagan.
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