Craig Melvin


Craig Delano Melvin is an American broadcast journalist currently working for 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.

Early life

Melvin was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Wofford College. His parents are Lawrence and Betty Melvin. He has a younger brother, Ryan Melvin, and an older half-brother, Rev. Lawrence Meadows. In 1996, he was elected as the first African-American president of Key Club International. He is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and also has served as a senior counselor for South Carolina's Palmetto Boys State program.

Career

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.
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. He was later promoted to news anchor for the weekend morning newscast and the weekend evening newscasts before heading the weekday newscasts. At WIS-TV, Melvin also created several series that covered issues affecting education and the homeless in Columbia, among others.
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.
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. 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. He also covered the Sandy Hook shootings in December 2012. In 2013, he covered the Moore tornado in May, as well as the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 and the George Zimmerman trial in July. In 2014, Melvin covered the shooting of Michael Brown in August and the murder of Hannah Graham in September. In 2015, he covered the Charleston church shooting as well as the death of Freddie Gray in June. In 2016, Melvin covered the mass shooting of Dallas police officers in July and was also among the NBC reporters covering the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August. That same year, he also succeeded José Díaz-Balart as anchor of MSNBC Live.
In 2018, Melvin reported from Pyeongchang County for NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics in February. He was also promoted to weekday news anchor on Today in September and formed the cast of hosts heading Today Third Hour in October.

Personal life

Melvin married then-ESPN sports anchor and former WRC-TV sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak on October 15, 2011. They reside in Connecticut and have a son Delano “Del” born in March 2014, and a daughter, Sybil “Sibby” born in November 2016.

Career timeline

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.
In 2003 and 2005, Melvin shared in the Emmy Awards won by WIS-TV for having the best newscast.
In 2006, Melvin received an Emmy Award for his work as news anchor.
In 2007, he was named "Best Anchor" by the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association.