Robyne Robinson

Robyne has the distinction of being the first African-American to anchor a local prime-time newscast, and the first black woman appointed senior anchor at a Twin Cities news organization.

Regarded as one of the Twin Cities’ top broadcasters, Robyne received the 2005 Upper Midwest Emmy for Best Anchor.  

Robyne’s numerous honors also include awards from the Associated Press and the Minnesota Broadcasters’ Association;  She’s won the St. Paul Companies’ Pan-African Council Legacy Award; the Media Allies Award by the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits; and Humanitarian of the Year by Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Robyne’s on the board of the Outsider Art Center, a non-profit organization for disabled, folk and self-taught artists.  She’s an honorary board member for the Lupus Foundation of Minnesota, as well as A Better Chance Foundation of Eden Prairie, a national non-profit group dedicated to the academic enrichment of America’s inner-city teens.

Robyne sits on the Advisory Board for The Soap Factory/No Name Gallery, a non-profit contemporary arts center affiliated with the Walker Art Center, one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art museums.

Robyne founded Exhibit, a non-profit arts collective that helped fund the creation of the Independent Feature Project/Minneapolis Producers’ Fellowship, and has raised thousands of dollars for the Lupus Foundation by creating Voce, multimedia art and music events for and by women that raised Lupus education and awareness.

She was the owner of flatland, a contemporary fine art gallery that’s been featured in numerous national publications including Art News and Elle Décor, and has helped further the careers of many local artists whose work has been commissioned by Northwest Airlines and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. 

Her personal art collection has been shown on national television, and on display at the Walker Art Center. She’s also exhibited her own artwork at Outsiders and Others gallery, Minneapolis; and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ “Foot In The Door” show for emerging artists.

Currently, Robyne is the creator and designer of Rox, a costume jewelry company featured in local and national fashion and lifestyle magazines, and worn by artists such as Madonna, Nicollette Sheridan and Paula Abdul.

Hometown: Chicago… represent.

College: Loyola University of Chicago

Joined FOX 9: June 1990

What was your favorite story to work on? After 20 years in television news, it’s very hard to pick a favorite story…I would say covering Navy homecomings while covering the Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA – watching all those women standing at the dock, babies by the hands and in arms, waiting for the father they’ve never met or barely remember… husbands gone for 9 months or longer… on missions that could’ve put their lives in danger or one they never return from. The ship comes in with soldiers standing at attention on deck, and suddenly the crowd surges and breaks through the line of sailors holding them back, and they start running with their babies – trying to get to the ship. The sailors on board can’t wait, can’t take it anymore and start screaming their wives’ names and waiving frantically… they make a break to get off the ship to hug and kiss and cry at their homecoming reunion… and you see them being introduced to their children for the first time… it’s one of the most amazing, tender and heartbreaking moments I’ve had the privilege to cover as a reporter.

Are you on Facebook? Yes. And AOL, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reunion.com, and MySpace

What’s on your iPod? Nothing -- I don’t own one. Long live vinyl…

Most memorable interview or TV moment? I’ve had several -- I’ve interviewed Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, Fritz Mondale… Jim Dine to George Clinton. But my favorite still is Prince. The most difficult and the most exciting… and the most generous.

Five people (dead or alive) you would most want to have dinner with? Josephine Baker, Jean-Michel Basiquat, Banana Yoshimoto, Antoni Tapies, Frederico Aubele

What would the meal be? I’d serve Sausage and Shrimp Piella with White Sangria and Crème Brulee, and there would be Salsa and Flamenco dancing.

Favorite TV shows/Movies? Venture Brothers, old Chappelle show reruns, most of the Bravo shows, Eastenders and Fox 9 News at 5 and 9. Cinema Paridiso, Raising Arizona, Shawn of the Dead, Camille Claudel, Hostel

Favorite sports team? It will always have to be the Chicago Bears, whether I follow sports or not.

Biggest pet peeves? People who are too rude to return a greeting. Cliquishness. Being cut off during a conversation.

Guilty pleasures? Haagen Daas Strawberry Ice Cream and pancakes at Mickey’s Diner in St. Paul... and Tom Jones.

Family/pets? My Siamese Seal Tip, Mr. Hitch… 2 years old.