Craig Melvin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Craig Melvin
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Melvin in 2016
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| Born |
Craig Delano Melvin
May 20, 1979 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
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| Education | Wofford College (BA) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | NBC News and MSNBC anchor and reporter |
| Spouse(s) |
Lindsay Czarniak
(m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
Craig Delano Melvin (born May 20, 1979) is an American journalist who works as an anchor and reporter for NBC News and MSNBC. He was a news anchor on NBC's Today from August 2018 until January 2025. In October 2018, he became a co-host of Today Third Hour, and then a permanent host in January 2019. In January 2025, he became a co-anchor for the first and second hours of Today. Melvin also fills in as a substitute anchor for the NBC Nightly News.
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Early Life and Education
Craig Delano Melvin was born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina. His parents are Lawrence and Betty Melvin. He has a younger brother, Ryan, and an older half-brother, Lawrence Meadows, who passed away in 2020.
In 1996, Craig made history by becoming the first African-American president of Key Club International. This is a student organization that focuses on community service. In 2001, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Wofford College. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and helped lead South Carolina's Palmetto Boys State program, which teaches young people about how government works.
Craig Melvin's Career Journey
Craig Melvin started his career in television when he was still in high school. From 1995 to 1997, he worked as a reporter for WIS-TV, an NBC-affiliated station in Columbia, South Carolina.
Early Reporting Days
After finishing college, Craig returned to WIS-TV in July 2001. He began as a news photographer and producer. Soon after, he became a reporter for the morning news team. He was known for his "Craig Cam" segments, which were live reports. He was later promoted to news anchor for the weekend morning and evening newscasts. Eventually, he became the main anchor for the weekday newscasts. While at WIS-TV, Craig also created special series that looked into important issues like education and homelessness in Columbia.
Moving to Washington D.C.
In July 2008, Craig Melvin left WIS-TV to join WRC-TV in Washington, D.C.. This station is owned and operated by NBC. There, he anchored the weekend evening newscasts, continuing to build his experience in major news markets.
Joining NBC News and MSNBC
Three years later, in July 2011, Craig moved to MSNBC to become a daytime anchor. He also started contributing as a reporter for NBC News.
- Covering Major Events: In 2012, Craig anchored MSNBC's coverage of the national political conventions for both the Republican and Democratic parties. He also helped cover the Election Night for TV One, working with NBC News. He reported on the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012.
- More Key Stories: In 2013, he covered the 2013 Moore tornado and the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214. He also reported on the George Zimmerman trial.
- Important Social Issues: In 2014, Craig covered the shooting of Michael Brown and the murder of Hannah Graham. In 2015, he reported on the Charleston church shooting and the death of Freddie Gray.
- National and International News: In 2016, he covered the mass shooting of Dallas police officers. He was also one of the NBC reporters covering the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. That same year, he became an anchor for MSNBC Live, which later became MSNBC Reports.
In 2017, Craig hosted his own true crime series called Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. This show premiered on Oxygen.
Role at Today Show
In February 2018, Craig reported from Pyeongchang County for NBC's coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics. In September, he was promoted to weekday news anchor on the Today show. In October, he became part of the team hosting Today Third Hour.
In December 2020, Craig co-hosted NBC's yearly broadcast of the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
In March 2022, Craig announced he would be leaving his hour of MSNBC Reports to focus more on his role at Today.
On January 13, 2025, Craig Melvin became a co-anchor for the first and second hours of Today, working alongside Savannah Guthrie.
Personal Life
Craig Melvin married Lindsay Czarniak, who was a sports anchor for ESPN and a reporter for WRC-TV, on October 15, 2011. They live in Connecticut and have two children: a son named Delano (who they call Del), born in March 2014, and a daughter named Sybil (who they call Sibby), born in November 2016. Craig is a Christian and attends a congregational church.
Career Timeline
- 2001–2008: WIS-TV anchor and reporter, Columbia, S.C.
- 2008–2011: WRC-TV 6 PM and 11 PM weekend news anchor, Washington, D.C.
- 2011–present: NBC News/MSNBC
- 2011–2014: MSNBC Live weekend anchor
- 2012–present: NBC News correspondent
- 2015–2018: Weekend Today co-anchor
- 2016–2022: MSNBC Live anchor
- 2016–present: Dateline Extra Anchor
- 2017: Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly correspondent
- 2018–2025: Today news anchor
- 2018–present: Today Third Hour host
- 2025–present: Today co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie
Awards and Recognition
Craig Melvin has received several awards for his work in journalism:
- In 1996, he received an Associated Press award for a story he did on innovative teaching. This made him one of the youngest people ever to receive such an award.
- In 2003 and 2005, Craig shared in the Emmy Awards won by WIS-TV for having the best newscast.
- In 2006, he received an Emmy Award specifically for his work as a news anchor.
- In 2007, the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association named him "Best Anchor."
