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Sylvia Weatherspoon: Award-Winning WBRZ News Anchor & Health Reporter
Sylvia Weatherspoon is a distinguished American television and radio news anchor, voiceover actor, and digital content creator.
She currently serves as a co-anchor of WBRZ News 2 at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
She began her tenure at WBRZ in December 1993, and she has since become a respected and award-winning journalist.
Here are some highlights from her biography:
- Early Life: Sylvia was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and was later adopted by her great-aunt and great-uncle in Baton Rouge. She grew up in Old South Baton Rouge.
- Education: She attended McKinley High School and later pursued a degree in journalism at Louisiana State University (LSU).
- Career: Sylvia began her career in radio at WJBO-AM and WFMF-FM, where she served as a news director. She transitioned to television news, drawn by the technical and creative challenges it offered.
- Community Involvement: Sylvia is active in her community, serving on several boards, including the Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, the Advisory Board of the Junior League of Baton Rouge, and the Executive Board of Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area.
- Awards: Throughout her career, Sylvia has received numerous awards, including the Excellence in Medical Journalism Award in Television Broadcasting and the Louisiana Associated Press award for her story on a house fire.
Weatherspoon resides in Baton Rouge with her husband and two children. She is known for her inspirational speaking engagements at Women’s Bible Study groups and enjoys gardening, decorating for Christmas, and traveling with her family.
Additional Information
- Weatherspoon’s dedication to her community and her passion for journalism have made her a beloved figure in Baton Rouge.
- Her work often highlights the positive stories and individuals in her community, reflecting her commitment to making a difference.
- Weatherspoon’s career trajectory, from her early days in radio to her current role as a leading news anchor, is a testament to her hard work and talent.
Age:
Sylvia Weatherspoon was born in 1961 making her around 63 years old as of 2025. She is African American and proudly holds American nationality.
Parents and Siblings:
Sylvia Weatherspoon’s upbringing is quite inspiring! She was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and was later adopted by her great-aunt Alene Sparks and great-uncle after her biological mother was unable to care for her.
Her adoptive mother was a housekeeper and entrepreneur who baked and sold pies and cakes, as well as provided childcare services.
Growing up in Old South Baton Rouge, Sylvia was surrounded by strong, entrepreneurial women who were widows, which became her first examples of successful entrepreneurs.
Sylvia’s great-aunt always wanted a baby girl, and Sylvia became that cherished daughter.
Despite her adoptive mother’s lack of formal schooling, Sylvia was raised with a strong belief in the importance of education for future success.
Her mother was also a serious news junkie, which likely influenced Sylvia’s career path.
Husband:
Sylvia Weatherspoon is married to her high school sweetheart, Donald Weatherspoon. They tied the knot in 1986 and have built a strong, loving relationship over the years. Donald has been a significant support system for Sylvia throughout her career.
The couple has two children. Their son, Donald Jr., is 26 years old, and their daughter, Taylor, is 21 years old. Tragically, Taylor’s adoptive mother passed away when Donald Jr. was still young, which likely brought the family even closer together.
Sylvia enjoys spending her leisure time vacationing with her family, gardening, and engaging in Bible study. It’s clear that family is incredibly important to her, and she cherishes the time she gets to spend with them.
Height, Weight:
Sylvia Weatherspoon stands at an impressive height of approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.67 meters).
Her weight is estimated to be around 140-150 pounds (63-68 kg), and her body measurements are roughly 34-28-36 inches (86-71-91 cm).
It’s clear that Sylvia maintains a professional and poised appearance, reflecting her dedication to her career and her presence in the media industry.
Career and Background:
Sylvia’s interest in journalism was sparked during her time at McKinley High School, where she participated in a workshop at Louisiana Public Broadcasting Television.
While studying Broadcast Journalism at Louisiana State University, she secured her first job as an announcer on WTKL-AM.
After graduating, she worked as the news director for WJBO-AM & WFMF-FM radio in Baton Rouge before transitioning to television.
In December 1993, she joined WBRZ-TV as a weekend anchor and night-side reporter, eventually becoming the co-anchor for the station’s evening newscasts.
Throughout her career, Sylvia has received numerous awards, including the 2007 Excellence in Medical Journalism award from the Louisiana State Medical Society and the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Early Career: Radio Beginnings
Sylvia Weatherspoon began her career in radio at WJBO-AM and WFMF-FM in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
As a news director, she honed her skills in journalism and developed a passion for news reporting.
Her role involved managing news content, coordinating with reporters, and ensuring that the news delivered was accurate and timely. This early experience laid the foundation for her future success in television news.
Transition to Television: WAFB-TV
Sylvia’s interest in the technical and creative aspects of television news led her to explore opportunities in this field. She spent her spare time in the newsroom of WAFB-TV, a local television station in Baton Rouge.
Here, she delivered morning news cut-ins, providing viewers with brief news updates. This transition allowed her to gain valuable experience in television broadcasting and prepared her for larger roles in the industry.
Joining WBRZ-TV
In December 1993, Sylvia joined WBRZ-TV, a prominent television station in Baton Rouge. Over the years, she has become a familiar face and trusted news anchor for the station.
Sylvia co-anchors the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts, bringing her expertise and professionalism to the viewers. Her dedication and hard work have made her a beloved figure in the Baton Rouge community.
Career Achievements
Throughout her career, Sylvia Weatherspoon has received numerous awards and recognitions for her exceptional reporting. Some of her notable achievements include:
- Excellence in Medical Journalism Award in Television Broadcasting: This award recognizes Sylvia’s outstanding work in reporting medical news and health-related topics.
- Louisiana Associated Press Award: Sylvia received this award for her compelling story on a house fire, showcasing her ability to cover impactful and important news stories.
- Louisiana Role Model Award: The Baton Rouge Chapter of The Links, Inc. honored Sylvia with this award for her contributions to journalism and her positive impact on the community.
Community Involvement
Sylvia is deeply committed to her community and actively participates in various organizations and boards. Some of her notable involvements include:
- Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge: Sylvia serves on the board of this organization, which focuses on community service and philanthropy.
- Advisory Board of the Junior League of Baton Rouge: As a board member, Sylvia contributes to the efforts of this organization in promoting volunteerism and improving the community.
- Executive Board of Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area: Sylvia plays a key role in supporting this organization, which provides resources and support to individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are some highlights of Sylvia Weatherspoon’s notable coverage:
- “2 Make a Difference” Segment: Sylvia highlighted Charlene Johnson, a cancer patient creating corsages and table arrangements for a senior citizens’ Christmas party, inspiring many with her resilience.
- Medical Journalism: Sylvia received the Excellence in Medical Journalism Award for her outstanding health-related reporting.
- House Fire Story: She won the Louisiana Associated Press award for her compelling coverage of a house fire, showcasing her ability to convey the human element of such events.
- Community Involvement: Sylvia often covers positive community stories, thanks to her engagement with organizations like the Sunrise Rotary Club of Baton Rouge and Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area.
Awards and Recognitions
Sylvia Weatherspoon has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career, highlighting her exceptional contributions to journalism:
- Excellence in Medical Journalism Award in Television Broadcasting: Sylvia was honored with this award for her outstanding reporting on health-related topics, showcasing her dedication to providing accurate and impactful medical news.
- Louisiana Associated Press Awards: Sylvia has won multiple awards from the Louisiana Associated Press, including:
- Second Place: For her report “In Just Minutes,” which covered a house fire.
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- Third Place: For her report “Miracle on the Mississippi,” which detailed an accident on the Mississippi River Bridge.
- Excellence in Television Award: Presented by Women in Media in 2007, this award recognized Sylvia’s outstanding achievements in television journalism.
- Laurie Smith Anderson Award for Excellence in Health Care Reporting: Awarded by the Arthritis Association of Louisiana in 2007, this accolade acknowledged Sylvia’s exceptional health care reporting.
- Louisiana Role Model Award: The Baton Rouge Chapter of The Links, Inc. honored Sylvia with this award for her contributions to journalism and her positive impact on the community.
Sylvia Weatherspoon works alongside several talented colleagues at WBRZ-TV. Some of her notable colleagues include:
- Jacelyn Wheat: A fellow anchor and reporter known for her engaging on-air presence.
- Marisa Nuzzo: A dedicated reporter who covers a variety of news stories for the station.
- Dr. Josh Eachus: A meteorologist who provides weather updates and forecasts.
- Keller Watts: Another anchor who brings his expertise to the news desk.
- Corey Rholdon: A reporter who covers important news events and stories.
Together, they form a dynamic team that keeps the Baton Rouge community informed and engaged with the latest news and weather updates.
Net Worth and Salary:
Sylvia Weatherspoon’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth has been accumulated through her successful career as a journalist, spanning over two decades at WBRZ-TV.
Her annual salary ranges from $49,371 to $81,179, according to estimates for news anchors in Baton Rouge.
Is Sylvia Weatherspoon Married?
Yes, Sylvia Weatherspoon is married to Donald Weatherspoon, her high school sweetheart. They have two children, Donald Jr. and Taylor.
How Old Is Sylvia Weatherspoon?
Sylvia Weatherspoon is 61 years old as of 2023. She was born in 1961, but the exact date of her birthday is not publicly known.
Where Is Sylvia Weatherspoon Working?
Sylvia Weatherspoon is currently working at WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She serves as a co-anchor for the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts.
In addition to her anchoring duties, Sylvia is also involved in health reporting and covers various health-related topics.
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