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 |
| Spouse(s) |
Broderick D. Johnson
(m. 1993) |
Michele L. Norris (born September 7, 1961) is a well-known American journalist. From 2019 to 2024, she wrote opinion articles for The Washington Post. Before that, she was a co-host of National Public Radio's (NPR) evening news show, All Things Considered, from 2002 to 2011. She made history as the first African-American woman to host a show for NPR. Michele Norris also worked as a reporter for ABC News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times. She helps choose winners for the important Peabody Awards.
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Early Life and Education
Michele Norris was born in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Her mother, Elizabeth Jean "Betty," was from Minnesota, and her father, Belvin Norris Jr., was from Alabama. Her father served in the Navy during World War II.
Michele went to Washburn High School in Minneapolis. She first studied electrical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Later, she moved to the University of Minnesota. There, she changed her focus to journalism and mass communications.
Journalism Career
While at the University of Minnesota, Michele Norris wrote for the school 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.
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, which were a series of terrible events that happened in the United States on September 11, 2001.
Working at NPR
Michele Norris joined the NPR evening news program All Things Considered on December 9, 2002. This was a big moment because she became the first African-American woman to host a show for NPR. In 2015, Fortune magazine called her "one of [NPR's] biggest stars."
Early in her time at NPR, Norris was praised for her reporting on Hurricane Katrina. This was a very powerful storm that caused a lot of damage. She also helped lead a discussion for Democratic presidential candidates in Iowa. In 2008, Norris worked with Steve Inskeep on a project called The York Project: Race & The '08 Vote. They both won an 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 stepped away from NPR's political coverage during the 2012 election year. This was because her husband was working on Barack Obama's presidential campaign. On January 3, 2013, NPR shared that Norris would no longer be a regular host. Instead, she would host sometimes and work as a 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 and experiences about race in the United States using only six words. Norris and her team won a 2014 Peabody Award for this special project.
In December 2015, Norris left NPR to spend more time on The Race Card Project. In July 2020, it was announced that a book deal was made for the project. This would include a children's book. The book, called 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.
The Grace of Silence Book
Norris also wrote a book called The Grace of Silence. It is a memoir, which means it tells stories from her own life. The book also shares facts and research. It started as part of The Race Card Project. In the book, Norris writes about finding out that her father was shot by a police officer in Birmingham. She also learned about her maternal grandmother's job as an itinerant Aunt Jemima.
Awards and Honors
Michele Norris has received several important awards for her work:
- 2006 Emmy Award for ABC News' reporting on the September 11 attacks.
- 2006 Peabody Award for ABC News' reporting on 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.
