If you’ve happened to tune into Fox 26 News over the past few months, you may have noticed a new face on the screen – Anthony Antoine, a brother, serving as an anchor. And sure, U.S. newsrooms are becoming more diverse. But it’s still a rare sighting, even in 2024, to see a Black man sitting behind the anchor desk.
But Antoine is doing more than holding down a seat, he’s holding it down for the culture. Born in Trinidad and raised in New Jersey, this Houston transplant – by way of professional jaunts in Richmond, VA and Champaign, IL – journeyed to discover his authentic voice, and now that he’s found it, he’s using it to speak to and speak on stories relevant to us.
The Defender spoke with Antoine about his personal and professional journey that landed him here in H-Town.
Defender: So, how has that transition to Houston been?
Antoine: Houston is massive, man. Nobody told me that. There’s so much of Houston to learn. It’s been a great transition, but this has been the biggest transition; my coming to a city this size. Also, this is my first time working evenings. So, from a professional standpoint, I’ve had to adjust to the time change, the movement and pace of the news. And the news in Houston… Bro! The news in Houston could be a little bit of everything. I’ve covered some stories that I’ve never covered before. All of that has been a learning curve professionally. And then personally, just learning the city. Like, I have never heard of a feeder road a day in my life. So, just learning the city. But, that’s part of the fun. You get out there, you make a wrong turn, you see a restaurant you want to try, you go in, you love it, and now you know where you’re at. So that’s been part of the fun. It’s been a great transition overall, but definitely some small growing pains.
Defender: As a Black man in media, does that position come with challenges, responsibilities, opportunities?
“It wasn’t until I let go of trying to sound like someone else, do it somebody else’s way. That’s when I really turned that corner and became a way better journalist… And I realized that who I am, my struggles, my life story, the things I like and don’t like, all those things play a key role.”
Anthony Antoine
Antoine: All of it, in every facet. And I’m gonna be real transparent. Early on in my career, I didn’t really understand the responsibility. So, when I first got into news, you didn’t really see many frontline African American men and women talent. You will have a couple in some markets, but not as widespread. You would primarily see them anchoring on weekends or something. So, when I first got into the business, I really didn’t know how to maneuver and there were some growing pains where it was like, I tried to be somebody else. I tried to deliver the news the way somebody else did it. And then, the more I realized that nobody can do it like me, and the best me is showing up 110% authentic to who I am.
Defender: So, when did it all click for you?
Antoine: It wasn’t until I let go of trying to sound like someone else, do it somebody else’s way. That’s when I really turned that corner and became a way better journalist… And I realized that who I am, my struggles, my life story, the things I like and don’t like, all those things play a key role in the demographic that you serve. I remember times where I’ve had to advocate for stories that I know for a fact were important to the Black community, where some of my peers may not have seen it that way. And my perspective is one that I value completely, and I’m gonna always bring that to the table. I’m always gonna advocate or interject and say, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t look at it this way because XYZ.” I don’t ever want to feel like I left a table or a conversation that I didn’t represent Black people in a way that is conducive to a healthy discussion about whatever the topic may be.
Defender: And speaking of representation, do I hear some island roots in your voice?
Antoine: Wha-ya-mean, boy; wha-ya-mean [in serious island accent]? Yeah, man, I’m from Trinidad and Tobago, born and raised. Came to America when I was 10 years old. Right now, February, we’re going into Carvinale back home. That is a big thing. So, I’m in carnival mode right now. I’m listening to all the new songs. We have something back home called Panorama [a steel pan competition]. So, I’ve been watching the prelims and the semis, and my mind and my heart is in Trinidad right now. But, came to America when I was 10, raised by a single parent. My mom did everything, anything that she could. We moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, my home ever since I came to America. Then, to northwest Ohio; I went to Bowling Green State University for college. But, I’m a very proud “Trinny” [Trinidad native].
Defender: What’s the thing that would be most surprising to the general public about your job?
Antoine: Probably the workflow. I think some people think I just walk in the door at 4:45 p.m. and do the news at 5 p.m. That’s not the case. I’m not just reading the teleprompter. I’m working. And an adjustment I had to get used to when I got here was just the speed and the flow of the news. It’s like I walk in the door, you usually have about two meetings. From the two meetings we are then expanding into the digital space more, so we have digital responsibilities. Then you’re writing stories. Then you’re reading scripts. Then you’re having meetings with your producers. Then you do the show. Then you have promos to shoot that’ll air at different times throughout the day. Then you might get lucky, and if no breaking news happens, you get a chance to eat some food. And then you get ready for the night show. It’s busy, man. It’s a very fast-paced environment.
“It is easy in this industry to feel like you are being overlooked when the quality of your work isn’t something that’s being spotlighted. But I think there’s a reason horses have blinders on. You just gotta run your own race and not look to your left, not look to your right.”
Anthony antoine
Defender: Do you have any advice for aspiring future newscasters?
Antoine: One, run your own race. It is easy in this industry to feel like you are being overlooked when the quality of your work isn’t something that’s being spotlighted. But I think there’s a reason horses have blinders on. You just gotta run your own race and not look to your left, not look to your right. Don’t try to compare yourself to anyone in your newsroom. Because I think sometimes, when you get in there, your life experiences may be very different. You might be alongside some of your peers who may have gone to a school that had a full newsroom. Some schools and universities out there have some very amazing newsrooms. And, sometimes, you might feel like you’re a little bit behind. But I would tell anyone, stay the course. Run your own race. Just make sure that what you do every single day and what you put in is something you can be proud of.
Two, find a mentor outside of your newsroom. If you really wanna become better at something, sometimes you gotta get feedback from somebody who’s not looking at your work every single day… Find somebody you can look up to, somebody that you trust. Find somebody who is not gonna look to change your voice or how you do things, but more so refine it, because everybody does it in their own way. You just gotta find your voice. And sometimes the hardest part is finding your voice. And once you find your voice and you realize how you deliver the news and how you do it, that’s when you really start to take off.
