Charles F. Robinson, III

Charles F. Robinson, III, is an award winning journalist, who works in television, radio, print and new media. Born in Richmond, VA, Robinson grew up in Baltimore, MD, and began his journalism career by delivering the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper while still in junior high school.

Robinson attended Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S. 1980), Richmond, VA, where he began his career in broadcasting at the campus radio station WJRB (now WVCW). WVCW was named by Billboard Magazine in 1979 as one of the most innovative college campus radio stations in the nation.

Since 2001 he has served Maryland Public Television as a Political Reporter for State Circle and a Business Correspondent for Business Connection, now known as “Your Money and Business”. Additionally, he’s been an Adjunct Professor at Howard County Community College (2002 -2011) where he taught a course on Writing for Radio and Television.

He is the associate producer working on documentary projects such as MPT's Hard Working Families series (which won a CINE Golden Eagle award); and the documentary People of Brown in 2006 it received an ABMW Award, a Regional EMMY and a national NABJ Award.

During Robinson's career, he has worked in television as a reporter (WWBT-TV, Richmond, VA; WPEC-TV; West Palm Beach, FL; WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH) and national correspondent (BET); radio as news director (WEAA-FM, Baltimore, MD), political analyst (WEAA-FM, Baltimore, MD), and executive producer (TPT Radio Network, Washington, DC); and print as editor-in-chief (Sphinx Magazine).

His career highlights include the impact of the Rodney King verdict; the story behind the monument to the Amistad revolt; the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, the Million Man March and meeting a young Illinois State Senator Barack Obama at the Boston Democratic National Convention. His coverage of Nelson Mandela's first trip to the United States won him an award from the National Association of Black Journalist (1991).

Robinson has been in the forefront of Black Politics in America. In 2004, he created Charles Black Politics Blog (www.blkpol.blogspot.com). It is an insider’s look at the world of Black politics. Colleagues point to his critically acclaimed blog post in September of 2004, Presidential Perspective I and II. Robinson put forth the argument it was time for a person of color to be taken seriously in a run for President. He suggested a young Illinois State Senator, Barack Obama was a likely choice. He had spent three days interviewing and listening to him during the Democratic National Convention. Robinson would end up with front row seat to see then U.S. Senator Obama sworn in as President of the United States.

His expertise on Maryland politics has also allowed him to have a front row seat during many of the states pressing issues. He has been called on to host debates and question candidates ranging those running for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Governor, and the Mayor of

Baltimore, Maryland. In 2010 Robinson felt the need to expand on his presence online with the creation of Maryland State of Mind Blog (www.marylandstateofmind.blogspot.com).

Between his multitude of jobs he provides political analysts for radio stations (WEAA, WYPR, WAMU, WOLB, The Bev Smith Show, NPR, The Mark Thompson Show [Sirrus Satellite Radio], and the Santita Jackson Show on WVON Chicago). He is also a writer/contributor websites (BmoreNews.com, ReddingNewsReview.com, and Maryland Reporter.com). Robinson has also participated in a number of online radio stations, webinars, and Skype conversations across the globe.

In 2008, members of the National Association of Black Journalist elected him to be the Region II Director of the organization (Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, W. Virginia, and DC). He served two terms (2008-2011). During his tenure as Director he has hosted Watergate I, II and III, looking at Black Politics (including the election and re-election of President Obama). He has launched 3 student chapters at Morgan State University, University of Maryland College Park, and West Virginia University.

He was honored (2012) with a Capital Area Emmy for his work on 9-11 Ten Years Later – Flight 93 Shankesville.

When Robinson is not reporting you can find him on a golf course, fishing, and traveling. From 2001-2008 he was a soccer coach at the Edreco Recreation league.

Robinson is married to Robbie Robinson, the senior speech pathologist at Sheppard Pratt’s Forbush School. In June 2010, Robinson was given Rays of Hope Award for Media by Black Professional Men.