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Craig Melvin

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Craig Melvin
Melvin in 2016
Born
Craig Delano Melvin

(1979-05-20) May 20, 1979 (age 45)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
EducationWofford College (BA)
OccupationJournalist
Years active2001–present
Known forNBC News and MSNBC anchor and reporter
Spouse
​
(m. 2011)​
Children2

Craig Delano Melvin[1] (born May 20, 1979) is an American broadcast journalist and anchor at NBC News and MSNBC. In August 2018, he became a news anchor on NBC's Today and, in October 2018, a co-host of Today Third Hour before being made permanent in January 2019, and Melvin also serves as a fill-in & substitute anchor for Today & NBC Nightly News.

Early life

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Craig Delano Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Lawrence and Betty Melvin.[2][3][4] He has a younger brother, Ryan Melvin,[5] and an older half-brother, Rev. Lawrence Meadows,[6] who died from colon cancer on December 9, 2020 at the age of 43.[7]

In 1996, he was elected as the first African-American president of Key Club International.[8] In 2001, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Wofford College.[9][10] He is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and also served as a senior counselor for South Carolina's Palmetto Boys State program.[11][12][13]

Career

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Melvin first joined NBC-affiliate WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina as a high school student, working as an "Our Generation Reporter" from 1995 to 1997.[14]

After college, he returned to WIS in July 2001 as a news photographer and producer, before becoming a reporter for the station's morning news team, producing his "Craig Cam" live segments.[14] He was later promoted to news anchor for the weekend morning newscast and the weekend evening newscasts before heading the weekday newscasts.[14] At WIS-TV, Melvin also created several series that covered issues affecting education and the homeless in Columbia, among others.[15][16]

In July 2008, Melvin left WIS-TV to join NBC's owned-and-operated station in Washington, D.C., WRC-TV, where he anchored the weekend evening newscasts.[17][18]

Three years later, in July 2011, Melvin departed WRC-TV for MSNBC to become a daytime anchor, while also contributing to NBC News as a reporter.[18] In 2012, Melvin anchored MSNBC's coverage of the national conventions for the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as TV One's Election Night coverage, in partnership with NBC News.[19] He also covered the Sandy Hook shootings in December 2012.[20] In 2013, he covered the Moore tornado in May,[21] as well as the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214[22] and the George Zimmerman trial in July.[23][24] In 2014, Melvin covered the shooting of Michael Brown in August[25] and the murder of Hannah Graham in September.[26] In 2015, he covered the Charleston church shooting[27] as well as the death of Freddie Gray in June.[28] In 2016, Melvin covered the mass shooting of Dallas police officers in July[29] and was also among the NBC reporters covering the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.[30] That same year, he also succeeded José Díaz-Balart as an anchor of MSNBC Live, which would become MSNBC Reports.[31]

In 2017, Melvin hosted his own true crime series Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. It premiered on Oxygen in July 21.

In 2018, Melvin reported from Pyeongchang County for NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in February.[32] He was also promoted to weekday news anchor on Today in September[33] and formed the cast of hosts heading Today Third Hour in October.[34]

In December 2020, Melvin co-hosted NBC's annual broadcast of the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.[35]

In March 2022, Melvin announced he would be leaving his hour of MSNBC Reports to focus on Today.[36]

On January 13, 2025, Melvin will step into the co-anchor chair alongside Savannah Guthrie and replace Hoda Kotb, who is leaving the program the week before.[37]

Personal life

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Melvin married then-ESPN sports anchor and former WRC-TV sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak on October 15, 2011.[38] They reside in Connecticut and have a son, Delano (“Del”), who was born in March 2014,[39] and a daughter, Sybil (“Sibby”), who was born in November 2016.[40] Melvin is a Christian and attends a congregational church.[41]

Career timeline

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Awards

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In 1996, Melvin received an Associated Press award for his story on innovative teaching, making him one of the youngest recipients to ever receive such an award.[17]

In 2003 and 2005, Melvin shared in the Emmy Awards won by WIS-TV for having the best newscast.[17]

In 2006, Melvin received an Emmy Award for his work as news anchor.[16]

In 2007, he was named "Best Anchor" by the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association.[17][42]

References

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  1. ^ "On Love: Romance at NBC4". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  2. ^ Ray, Helen (May 17, 2019). "Happy 40th birthday, Craig Melvin! TODAY gang shares what they love about him". Today.
  3. ^ "1997-98 Bill 4118: Mr. Craig D. Melvin, Resolutions - South Carolina Legislature Online". Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Quinn, Ryan (October 3, 2011). "'There's nothing like going home'". The Daily Gamecock. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  5. ^ "Craig Melvin's brother drops by TODAY for a surprise visit". Today. April 11, 2019.
  6. ^ Bushong, Steven (March 29, 2018). "Craig Melvin: A brother, an advocate". Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
  7. ^ Stump, Scott (December 12, 2020). "Craig Melvin's brother Lawrence dies from colon cancer at age 43". Today.
  8. ^ "Kiwanis International | Learning to Give". www.learningtogive.org. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  9. ^ "NBC's Melvin speaks at Wofford 161st Commencement". Wofford College. May 17, 2015.
  10. ^ Mitchell Brasington, Jo Ann (July 1, 2017). "In NYC: Craig Melvin '01". Wofford College.
  11. ^ "South Carolina African American Calendar // Honorees". Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  12. ^ "Wofford College - Craig Melvin". Wofford.edu. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  13. ^ "Craig Melvin | LinkedIn". Archived from the original on September 10, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c "Craig Melvin". South Carolina African American History Calendar.
  15. ^ Melvin, Craig (November 10, 2005). "School Swap: Opportunities". WIS News.
  16. ^ a b "WIS' Craig Melvin wins Emmy". WIS News. June 19, 2006. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  17. ^ a b c d "Wishing Craig the best!". WIS News. July 21, 2008.
  18. ^ a b Knox, Merrill (July 27, 2011). "WRC's Craig Melvin Joins MNSBC As Dayside Anchor". TVSpy.
  19. ^ Morabito, Andrea (August 8, 2012). "NBC News, TV One Partner on Election Coverage". Multichannel News.
  20. ^ Kellam, Mark (December 17, 2012). "Rep. Schiff joins calls for fresh look at gun control laws". Glendale News-Press.
  21. ^ "No space for politics after Oklahoma tornado devastation". MSNBC. May 22, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  22. ^ "Flight 214 crash survivor recounts ordeal". MSNBC. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  23. ^ "The Justice Department and George Zimmerman". Msnbc.com. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  24. ^ Sakuma, Amanda (July 13, 2013). "George Zimmerman found not guilty in death of Trayvon Martin". MSNBC.
  25. ^ "Michael Brown's Parents Brace for Funeral and Call for Peace". NBC News. August 25, 2014.
  26. ^ Melvin, Craig; Chuck, Elizabeth (September 23, 2014). "Hannah Graham Case: New Charges for Suspect in UVA Student Case". NBC News.
  27. ^ Sarlin, Benjy; Margolin, Emma (June 19, 2015). "Dylann Roof charged with murder after Charleston church massacre". MSNBC.
  28. ^ "Whats Freddie Gray's autopsy reveals about his death". MSNBC. June 24, 2015.
  29. ^ Schuppe, Jon (July 8, 2016). "How a Peaceful Protest in Dallas Became a Deadly Cop Ambush". NBC News.
  30. ^ "NBC OLYMPICS COMPLETES ROSTER OF REPORTERS IN RIO". NBC Sports Group Press Box. June 8, 2016.
  31. ^ Steinberg, Bryan (July 13, 2016). "Jose Diaz-Balart Named Anchor of Saturday Edition of 'NBC Nightly News' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  32. ^ "NBC News Goes To Pyeongchang For The 2018 Winter Olympics". Comcast. January 16, 2018.
  33. ^ Hipes, Patrick (September 4, 2018). "Craig Melvin Promoted To Weekday 'Today' News Anchor". Deadline.
  34. ^ Hill, Michael P. (November 12, 2018). "'Today Third Hour' settling into Megyn Kelly's old studio". NewscastStudio.
  35. ^ Henderson, Cydney (December 3, 2020). "Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting: Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson and Jimmy Fallon sleigh it". USA Today. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  36. ^ Johnson, Ted (March 15, 2022). "Craig Melvin To Step Back From MSNBC Show To Focus On 'Today'". Deadline. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  37. ^ "Craig Melvin to join Savannah Guthrie as TODAY co-anchor in January 2025". TODAY.com. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  38. ^ "Media Match: Lindsay Czarniak And Craig Melvin Get Married". Huffington Post. October 18, 2011.
  39. ^ Heil, Emily (March 11, 2014). "Lindsay Czarniak, Craig Melvin welcome baby boy Delano "Del"". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  40. ^ Petit, Stephanie (November 6, 2016). "Craig Melvin and Lindsay Czarniak Welcome Daughter Sybil 'Sibby' Ann". People. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  41. ^ "Full video: Savannah Guthrie talks faith with TODAY co-anchors". YouTube. February 21, 2024.
  42. ^ In 2023, he was named “man of the year” by the kappa sigma fraternity. "Craig Melvin named Anchor of the Year by SCBA". Wistv.com. August 12, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
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