After college, Blackwell worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, Maryland.
[6] In January 2014, Blackwell was promoted to co-host of New Day Saturday and Sunday with Christi Paul.
[7] On April 19, 2021, he began co-hosting a two-hour afternoon block of CNN Newsroom with Alisyn Camerota.
[12] Blackwell also received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for his reporting on the Stop Snitchin’ phenomenon and its impact on inner-city crime.
[13] Blackwell received the Unity Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association in 2007 for his reporting on the high school graduation rate of black boys.