Karen Holmes Biography
Karen Holmes is a well-known American award-winning Director of Public Affairs and Community Services as well as host and executive producer of CityLine, WCVB-TV’s weekly magazine program. It addresses the problems, concerns, and accomplishments of people of color living in Boston and its suburbs. Many notables include Oscar winners Louis Gossett Jr. and Denzel Washington. She joined the station in 1981. Over the years, she has been a mentor to dozens of nonprofit groups over the years, serving on boards and assisting them in learning how to use the power of television to advance their causes.
Because of her work in the community, she has received numerous awards including; the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences ‘Silver Circle Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Boston Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Leaders Award; the National Association of Black Journalists Region I Journalist of the Year; Big Sister of Greater Boston Achievement Award; Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts President’s Award; Women of Courage and Conviction Award from the Greater Boston Section National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and MassVote’s ‘Champion of Democracy,’ among others.
Karen Holmes Education
She received her education at Boston University where she graduated from the University’s School of Public Communications (now COM). Also, she has received honorary doctorates in human letters and communications from Boston University, Cambridge College, and Merrimack College.
Karen Holmes Career
She works for WCVB as the Director of Public Affairs and Community Services as well as hosting and executive producing CityLane, WCVB’s award-winning weekly magazine program which addresses the accomplishments, concerns, and issues facing people of color living in Boston and its suburbs. She joined the station in 1981 and has more than four decades working at the station. For CityLine, she has interviewed many notables including; Oscar winners Regina King, Lupita Nyong’o, Forest Whitaker, Octavia Spencer, Denzel Washington, Louis Gossett Jr., Barry Jenkins, and Spike Lee among others.
CityLine has been a recipient of the Associated Press Massachusetts/Rhode Island ‘Best’ Public Affairs Program and numerous Emmy nominations. Moreover, she oversees WCVB’s public service and community outreach efforts including the station’s work on Five Foxer Upper, renewing and refurbishing common spaces for area nonprofits, and Extreme Makeover: My Hometown raising awareness about the need for affordable housing in the Greater Boston area. Moreover, she was instrumental in launching Commonwealth 5, WCVB’s first-of-its-kind web-based initiative that promoted philanthropy by matching viewer donors with non-profits via the internet. The success of the program was recognized with a National Emmy Award nomination.
Also, she served as Executive Producer for Return to Glory, a one-hour prime-time documentary hosted by Emmy Award-winning anchor Andre Braughter about the famed Massachusetts 54th Regiment. Holmes was a part of the team honored with a National Association of Broadcasters ‘Service to Community in Television Award for WCVB’s community service efforts during and following the Boston Marathon attack. She has enjoyed over a four-decade career in broadcasting including early stints as a writer at WEEL News Radio, News Director at WILD-Radio where she hosted a daily one-hour talk show and a reporter at WGBH-TV.
Karen Holmes Age
Holmes likes to keep her personal life private and hence has not yet disclosed the year and month she was born. It is therefore not known when she celebrates her birthday. However, she might be in her 60s.
Karen Holmes Height
She stands at an approximate height of 5ft 6 inches (1.67m) tall.
Karen Holmes Family
Karen has managed to keep her personal life away from the limelight hence she has not disclosed any information about her parents. It is also not known if Holmes has any siblings.
Karen Holmes Husband
Holmes was married to the love of her life, the late Forrest Ward who died on May 23, 2015. As of June 2023, she seems to be single. She and her late husband are blessed with two kids, Adina Madden Isaac and Taylor Ross Ward.
Karen Holmes’s Net Worth
Holmes has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million – $5 million which she has earned through being a Director of Public Affairs.
Karen Holmes Salary
She earns an annual average salary of $103,215.
Karen Holmes WCVB
Karen works at WCVB where she works alongside other well-reputed WCVB meteorologists, anchors, reporters, and sports anchors including;
- Antoinette Antonio
- Shaun Chaiyabhat
- Jennifer Eagan
- Anthony Everett
- Ed Harding
- Doug Meehan
- Ted Reinstein
- Rhondella Richardson
- Mary Saladna
- Ben Simmoneau
- Maria Stephanos
- Erika Tarantal
- Katie Thompson
- Josh Brogadir
- Janet Wu
- Bob Halloran
- Duke Castiglione
- Mike Lynch
- Naoko Funayama
- A.J. Burnett
- Kelly Ann Cicalese
- Cindy Fitzgibbon
- Harvey Leonard
- Michael Page
- Mike Wankum
- David Williams
- Matt Reed
- David Bienick
- Sera Congi
- Sharman Sacchetti
- Brianna Borghi
- Peter Eliopoulos
- Mike Beaudet
- Danae Bucci
- Nicole Estaphan