Councilman Blackman is a native of Wilson County. He is a graduate of the Institute of Insurance in Chapel Hill. He served as president of the Wilson County Fire & Casualty Insurance Agents Association. He is a member of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce. Councilman Blackman served two terms as chairman of the Agri-Business Committee. He has participated in the Philip Morris Leadership Program and served on the Wilson Planning Board for 11 years. He is married with three children. Councilman Blackman was elected to City Council in 2002.