CBS Chooses Black & Rhymes For Journalists-Of-Color Training Program

“CBS News has chosen the first two participants for its journalists-of-color training program: James Black will report for WBNS-TV, the CBS affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, and Alturo Rhymes will be a producer for CBS NEWSPATH in New York,” the network announced today.

The program is designed to develop talent: “CBS News hires the journalists to work for two years at participating CBS affiliates or CBS NEWSPATH. They are placed in strong newsrooms with a commitment to mentoring and enthusiasm for the project. At the end of two years, the goal is for the journalists to join CBS News.” Black was most recently a general assignment reporter for WRIC-TV. Rhymes has been a producer for CNBC, CNN and MSNBC…

> Update: 6:14pm: “I think it’s worth pointing out that CBS News has been touting “minority” training programs for more than 30 years with little to show for it,” a tipster writes. “In fact, two former participants, who CBS didn’t promote, are now working for NBC News, James Hattori and Ron Allen!”