LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – 7NEWS anchor Cynthia Arceneaux was honored Sunday by Mount Olive Baptist Church with the Murphy Fontenot Eagle Trailblazer Award, recognizing the impact she has made in Southwest Louisiana.

Arceneaux has spent 45 years in television, serving in a variety of roles throughout her career. She began at KPLC in 1982, becoming the first African American anchor in Lake Charles.

Church leaders said the award is meant to recognize African Americans who have helped to pave the way for others in the community.

“We look at that as something to give back to our Blacks in our community that have done great strides in Black history, and Ms. Cynthia Arceneaux has done some great things in her career,” said Rev. Leonard Brown, assistant pastor at Mount Olive Baptist Church.

In her acceptance speech, Arceneaux said her faith has helped guide her throughout her life and career and that the recognition from the community makes the honor especially meaningful.

“It means so much to me,” Arceneaux said. “We’re in the newsroom, we’re doing news day in and day out. It’s a rare occasion that you get to be honored by the very people who are watching you. So that’s why this award is so special to me.”

Mount Olive Baptist Church said it honors one African American each month for their contributions and the mark they’ve left on the community. Arceneaux also said she hopes her career can continue to inspire others, especially in the Black community.