Danita Harris

In 1998, Danita came to NewsChannel5 and became a part of the "Morning Exchange," where she did live feature reports. She was also seen on "Good Morning Cleveland" doing her Danita's Dish segments, which gave viewers the latest scoop on what was happening in Hollywood.

After two years, Danita moved to WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., where she anchored the news on weekends and did entertainment reports during the week.

But Danita's love for the Cleveland area quickly brought her back to WEWS in September of 2000, when she stepped into the anchor position for "Good Morning Cleveland" and NewsChannel5 at noon.

After anchoring the morning show for six years, Harris was promoted to the NewsChannel5 at 6 anchor position. She also anchors NewsChannel5's 11 p.m. newscast, "The Nightbeat."

Danita is the former host of Academic Challenge, which airs at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. "Academic Challenge" is one of the longest running locally produced shows in television history. She is the first woman and the first African-American to host the program.

Before relocating to the Cleveland area, Harris, a Chester, Pa. native, worked at Black Entertainment Television, a national cable network located in Washington, D.C. During her tenure there, she worked behind the scenes as a producer in several areas; news, sports, music and entertainment.

She's a graduate of the University of Maryland in College Park, where she majored in broadcast journalism.

Danita loves what she does because she loves people. She believes she is blessed to get paid for doing something that she truly enjoys. In her spare time she loves listening to jazz and gospel music.

Danita strongly believes in community service. Her favorite quote is "To whom much is given, much is required." When she has free time, she volunteers as a board advisor to the Girls Club of Ohio. The group promotes positive self-esteem, health and fitness and community service among young girls.

She was previously a columnist for Blessings Magazine as well as Connection, The Good News Magazine, a Christian publication.

She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., National Council of Negro Women, Kaleidoscope Magazine's 40/40 Club, a member of the board of trustees of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, a board member of Cleveland Job Corps Center Industry Council and a board member or Bellflower Center For Prevention Of Child Abuse.

Danita received national recognition for her work in the community when she was honored by the organization Black Women In Sisterhood For Action at the "Salute to Distinguished Black Women 2006" gala in Washington D.C.

Harris served as a guest host on ABC's "The View," and has also interviewed talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

She is married to Brad Pratt who also shares her passion for people. The two of them have recently started a church called "Fresh Wind Ministry" to help encourage people to live spiritually healthy lives.

Danita loves dogs and has a "very spoiled" pooch named Justin.

Drop her a note: harris@newsnet5.com.