CaribNation Television One People - One Culture - One Caribbean - One Nation

Navigate the Site

Profile for John Blake
Contributing Anchor/Entertainment and Business Correspondent.

Ruthven John Blake was born on May 1st, 1947 in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. He received his formal education from San Juan Government School, Nelson Street Boys's R.C. School, and St. George's College. After graduation he worked for the Trinidad and Tobago government for six years as a quantity surveyor

In 1970 he migrated to the United States initially to further his studies in building estimating. He switched to radio broadcasting, which he always loved after being exposed to the vast opportunity for training in that field. He obtained some formal training at The National Academy of Broadcasting, which was supplemented by course work at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia.

A few months after graduating from the academy of broadcasting, Howard University Radio (WHUR-FM) came on the air in December of 1971. He developed a pilot program to celebrate the anniversary of Jamaica's independence, which led to The Caribbean Experience radio program. The weekly program which currently airs from midnight on Saturdays to 6 a.m. on Sundays is of a magazine format, and has been the longest running Caribbean radio program in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. It continues to attract Caribbean and non-Caribbean listeners, bridging cultures and generations through music, news, interviews and special features. Among those are tributes on the passing of Caribbean heads of state Dr. Eric Williams from Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Manley of Jamaica, and Maurice Bishop of Grenada. Other guests featured on the show included international recording artistes such as Bob Marley, The Mighty Sparrow, Jimmy Cliff, Third World, David Rudder, Monty Alexander and Jon Lucien.

In October 1999, The Caribbean Experience celebrated 28 continuous years of broadcasting with the launching of the treasured Jumbie t-shirt featuring the artwork of Tobago-born, Wilcox Morris. Jumbie is an affectionate name given to the loyal listeners who stay up all night long tuned in to the radio show.

In addition to hosting The Caribbean Experience John held several full-time positions at WHUR-FM including public service director, senior technical producer /instructor and production director. He has taught radio production at Howard University's radio department and has provided technical assistance to interns majoring in broadcast journalism.

John is a contributing anchor of CaribNation Television. He is that special correspondant who does the enterainment and business beat for the show. John also occationally, host another Caribbean program, Trinidad and Tobago Television from Washington D.C. He serves as master of ceremonies, moderator and host at numerous Caribbean events. He is a senior vice president of John Blake and Associates doing business as Primerica Financial Services in Largo, Maryland. For the past ten years he has had the opportunity to help numerous individuals, families and businesses in the pursuit of financial independence.

John has been featured on numerous radio and television programs, in local and Caribbean print media and continues to be the recipient of numerous awards for outstanding service to the community.