It's widely known that "getting the interview," "trust," and "integrity" go hand-in-hand in this business. In almost 15 years on the local broadcast scene, few have gotten it done better in this manner quite like Darryl Lewis, Sr.
One of the more familiar names and faces on the Alaska broadcast news scene, Darryl is already one of the "elder statesmen" in local broadcast news. He not only brings a wealth of experience to KTVF, but also an impressive resume to boot.
Darryl first came to Newscenter 11 in 1997, as a reporter and director and hosted the Public Affairs show "Perspective." Darryl has interviewed numerous high-profile individuals and groups in entertainment, sports, among other areas. Such individuals include Beyonce Knowles and R&B group Destiny's Child; blues legends B.B. King and the late "Bo" Diddley; the late James Brown, "The Godfather of Soul"; the late Johnnie Cochran; talk show host Montell Williams, actor and comedian Bill Bellamy; Grammy Award-winning musicians Outkast and the Rev. Kirk Franklin; civil rights icons Dick Gregory and the Rev. Joseph Lowery; and many, many others.
He left KTVF in 2001, and worked the next four years as the News Director for the CBS/Fox affiliates in Fairbanks. He received a "Best News Story" award from the Alaska Broadcasters Association in 2002. Despite media requests from across the United States, Darryl was granted the only jailhouse interview with Daniel Lewis, the man who shot the Trans-Alaska Pipeline near Livengood in 2001, causing a 286,000 gallon oil spill and bringing national attention to the area 80 miles north of Fairbanks.
Darryl returned to KTVF in May 2005, and says he's "glad to be back home with the peacock!"
Since returning, he's won the ABA's "Best Breaking News Story," (2006), "Best Sports News Story" (2007), and "Best Breaking News Story (2010) awards as well.
In 2006, he represented KTVF appearing live on CNN's "The Paula Zahn Show" on the subject of school violence and a large scale murder plot aimed at teachers and students taking at North Pole Middle School.
That interview was seen around the world.
In 2008, Darryl also appeared live on East Coast national affiliates shortly after Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was selected as the Republican nominee for Vice-President of the United States.
A proud alumnus of South High School in Columbus, Ohio, he graduated from there in 1983.
After a successful collegiate basketball career, he graduated from UAF with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 1988. He also holds an associate of arts degree in journalism/newswriting from Antelope Valley Community College in Lancaster, Calif (1986).
Darryl continues to hold and has held numerous positions on local boards, such as the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living, The Carol Brice Family Center, Farthest North Girls Scouts, among others.
He also has held positions on numerous committees such as the UAF Nanook Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Top of the World Classic Organizing Committee, The Martin Luther King "Hoops for Scholars" Basketball Tournament Committee, Martin Luther King Celebration Committee, among many others.
He is a member of the NAACP and Black Role Models, Inc. and has been the recipient of numerous Community Service Awards.
Darryl is the eldest son of the late Elnora Jean Lewis, and eldest grandchild of the late Ann Groce.
He has three brothers, Cornell, Brandon, David; and one sister, Tracy, two sisters-in-law, Lola (Brandon) and Shelly (Cornell), as well as a "gang" of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
After a "courtship" of about 13 years, Darryl married long-time companion Lisa Gavin in November, 2010.
He is the proud father of one son, Darryl A. Lewis, II (23), one daughter in-law Shay Lee. In October, 2011 they will welcome their first child a girl, Hailee Jade into the world.
Darryl also has four daughters, Lucy (25), Jessie Kay (21), Lila Belle (20) and Dana Jean (17), and son-in-law Micah Boyd (Lucy).
Darryl is the equally-proud grandfather of Colten, Crista and Cassidy Grace (Jessie's son and two daughters), Izayah Malachi (Lila's son), Mila (Lucy and Micah's daughter), and the aforementioned Hailee Jade who will arrive on-scene in October, 2011.
Darryl Lewis, Sr. is godfather to many and has extended family around the United States and beyond.
