Craig Melvin

Craig Delano Melvin (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.

What was Craig Melvin's early life like?

Craig Delano Melvin, born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, is the son of Lawrence and Betty Melvin. He has a younger brother named Ryan Melvin and an older half-brother, Rev. Lawrence Meadows, who tragically passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43 on December 9, 2020. In 1996, Craig made history by becoming the first African-American president of Key Club International. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Wofford College in 2001. During his college years, he was involved with the Kappa Sigma fraternity and served as a senior counselor for South Carolina's Palmetto Boys State program.

What has Craig Melvin's career journey been like?

Melvin began his career at NBC-affiliate WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina, as a high school student from 1995 to 1997, serving as an "Our Generation Reporter." After completing college, he rejoined WIS in July 2001 as a news photographer and producer before transitioning into a reporter role for the morning news team. During his tenure, he introduced live segments called "Craig Cam" and was eventually promoted to anchor the weekend morning and evening newscasts before taking on weekday newscasts. At WIS-TV, Melvin also developed series addressing issues like education and homelessness in Columbia. In July 2008, Melvin moved to NBC's owned-and-operated station WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., anchoring the weekend evening newscasts. He joined MSNBC in July 2011 as a daytime anchor while contributing reports for NBC News. In 2012, he covered major events such as the national conventions for both political parties and TV One's Election Night alongside NBC News. He was on the ground covering significant stories including the Sandy Hook shootings in December 2012, the Moore tornado, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash, and George Zimmerman trial in 2013. His coverage continued with notable events like Michael Brown's shooting in August 2014 and Hannah Graham's murder in September. Melvin reported on critical incidents such as the Charleston church shooting and Freddie Gray's death in June 2015. The following year included coverage of the Dallas police officers' mass shooting and reporting from the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these responsibilities, he succeeded José Díaz-Balart as an anchor for MSNBC Live (later renamed MSNBC Reports). In July 2017, Melvin expanded into true crime by hosting Dateline: Secrets Uncovered on Oxygen. By February 2018, he was reporting from Pyeongchang County for NBC’s Winter Olympics coverage. That September saw his promotion to weekday news anchor on Today; shortly after, he joined Today Third Hour's host lineup. Melvin co-hosted NBC’s annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting broadcast in December 2020. In March 2022, he announced his departure from MSNBC Reports to concentrate more fully on his role at Today.

What is the career timeline of Craig Melvin?

2001–2008: Worked as an anchor and reporter at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina. 2008–2011: Served as the weekend news anchor for the 6 PM and 11 PM broadcasts at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. 2011–present: Joined NBC News and MSNBC. 2011–2014: Anchored MSNBC Live on weekends. 2012–present: Acts as a correspondent for NBC News. 2015–2018: Co-anchored Weekend Today. 2016–2022: Anchored MSNBC Live. 2016–present: Anchors Dateline Extra. 2017: Corresponded for Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. 2018–present: Serves as a news anchor on Today and hosts the Today Third Hour.