Michele Norris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michele Norris
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Norris at the 2024 Texas Book Festival.
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| Born |
Michele Lisa Norris
September 7, 1961 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Minnesota (BA) |
| Occupation | Journalist |
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Notable credit(s)
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The Washington Post All Things Considered ABC News The Chicago Tribune The Los Angeles Times MSNBC |
| Spouse(s) |
Broderick D. Johnson
(m. 1993) |
Michele L. Norris (born September 7, 1961) is a well-known American journalist. She has worked for many important news organizations. From 2019 to 2024, Norris wrote opinion articles for The Washington Post. She was also a co-host for National Public Radio's (NPR) evening news show, All Things Considered, from 2002 to 2011. She was the first African-American woman to host a show for NPR. Before that, Norris was a reporter for ABC News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. As of 2025, Norris is a senior editor at MSNBC.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Michele Norris was born in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Her mother, Elizabeth Jean "Betty" Norris, was from Minnesota. Her father, Belvin Norris Jr., was from Alabama and served in the Navy during World War II.
Norris went to Washburn High School in Minneapolis. She then studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She first thought about studying electrical engineering. Later, she moved to the University of Minnesota. There, she studied journalism and mass communications.
Journalism Career Highlights
While at the University of Minnesota, Michele Norris wrote for the student newspaper, Minnesota Daily. After that, she became a reporter for WCCO-TV.
Norris also wrote for major newspapers like The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. In 1990, she won the Livingston Award for articles she wrote. These articles were about the life of a six-year-old boy.
From 1993 to 2002, Norris worked as a news reporter for ABC News. She won an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for her reporting on the September 11 attacks.
Working at NPR
Michele Norris joined the NPR evening news program All Things Considered on December 9, 2002. This made her the first African-American female host for NPR. Fortune magazine called her "one of [NPR's] biggest stars" in 2015.
Norris received praise for her reporting on Hurricane Katrina. This was early in her time at NPR. She also helped lead a debate for presidential candidates in Iowa. In 2008, Norris worked with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep on a project called The York Project: Race & The '08 Vote. They both won an Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award for their work.
While at NPR, Norris interviewed many important people. These included President Barack Obama, Susan Rice, Quincy Jones, and Joan Rivers.
On October 24, 2011, Norris announced she would take a break from hosting All Things Considered. She also avoided political news for the 2012 election year. This was because her husband was working on Barack Obama's presidential campaign. On January 3, 2013, NPR announced that Norris would no longer be a regular host. Instead, she would be an occasional host and special reporter.
The Race Card Project
Michele Norris started The Race Card Project in 2010 while she was at NPR. This project asked people to share their thoughts on race in the United States using only six words. Norris and her team won a 2014 Peabody Award for this project.
In December 2015, Norris left NPR to focus more on The Race Card Project. In July 2020, a book deal was announced for the project. This included a children's book. The book, Our Hidden Conversation What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity, came out in January 2024. It is based on the many stories Norris collected for The Race Card Project.
Books and Podcasts
Norris is also the author of The Grace of Silence. This book is a memoir and non-fiction work. It grew out of The Race Card Project. In the book, Norris shares personal discoveries. She learned that her father was shot by a police officer in Birmingham, Alabama. She also found out that her grandmother worked as an "Aunt Jemima" character. This character promoted a breakfast brand.
Norris hosts an interview podcast called Your Mama's Kitchen. It started in 2023 with Higher Ground Audio.
Awards and Recognition
Michele Norris has received several important awards for her work:
- 2006 Emmy Award for ABC News coverage of the September 11 attacks.
- 2006 Peabody Award for ABC News coverage of the September 11 attacks.
- 2009 Journalist of the Year from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). This was for her reporting on the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
- 2013 Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Michigan.
- 2014 Peabody Award for her NPR series, The Race Card Project.
Personal Life
Michele Norris lives in the District of Columbia. She is married to Broderick D. Johnson. He used to be the White House Cabinet Secretary for President Barack Obama. They live with their daughter, son, and stepson.
