It's 3:00am. In a silent, empty corner of her home Sally Ann Roberts begins her day with a reflective moment she calls "Quiet Time." An inspirational ritual her Grandmother Sally also practiced. "I always thought this quiet time was just something I sort of made up," Roberts explains. "But I recently learned that it was how my Grandmother began her day too. I guess it was instinctive that I followed the same trait." Now, Sally Ann's secret to positive thinking and her inspirational spirit is outlined in her very personal book entitled, Going Live: An Anchorwoman Reports Good News.

Waking before dawn has been a part of Sally Ann's work week for many of her more than 20 years at Channel 4. Co-anchoring the Eyewitness Morning News with Eric Paulsen and David Bernard has made this popular trio the highest rated morning news program in America. "We've been together so long now," says Sally Ann, "They're like my second family."

Away from the Anchor desk, Sally Ann has another mission. "My mother, who has always been an inspiration to me throughout my life, told me many stories about a woman in her community who reached out to her and mentored her through several stages of her life. She would say to me 'Everyone should have just one Ms. Schnegg to look up to and guide them in their life' Her mother's wish prompted Sally Ann to develop the Each One, Save One program.

Through this non-profit organization, hundreds of local students are partnered with volunteers from the business community in a one-on-one mentoring program. "We all need positive role models and that's what Each One Save One provides."

Sally-Ann's interest in broadcasting was formed in her childhood when she witnessed a positive role model in her own community. "Seeing a black woman in the position of anchor on the local station was a true inspiration to me," Sally-Ann explains, "I knew I wanted to do something like that, and it was by watching her that I learned I could." Sally-Ann's love for writing and the knowledge that new career opportunities were opening up to African-American women ensured her path to success at WWL-TV.

While completing her Masters in Communication at the University of Southern Mississippi, Sally-Ann worked at the campus radio station as reporter, announcer and anchor. Upon graduation, Sally-Ann worked at a radio station in Mississippi acting as Community Relations Director, announcer and news reporter. Sally-Ann then went to work for a small television station in Eastabutchie, Mississippi, working as a weathercaster, weekend anchor and feature reporter.

Unbeknownst to Sally-Ann, future WWL-TV co-worker Angela Hill was passing through town, saw Sally-Ann, and alerted then News Director Phil Johnson that Sally-Ann should be working at WWL-TV. Acting on Angela's advice, Phil investigated the skilled young reporter and in March of 1977 Sally-Ann came to WWL-TV and has been an integral part of the Eyewitness News team ever since.

For more information on Sally-Ann's Each One, Save One Program, please browse the link below.

www.eachone.org

sroberts@wwltv.com