News

KRISTEN WELKER MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST BLACK WOMAN HOST OF NBC’S “MEET THE PRESS”

Now this is worth celebrating!!

Chuck Todd, the longtime talk show moderator of NBC’s Sunday morning show “Meet the Press,” has announced his upcoming departure, The Washington Post reports. Todd has been on “Meet the Press” since 2014 and will now become NBC’s chief political analyst. Citing a desire to spend more time with his family, Todd has announced he will be passing the reins to Kristen Welker, who will make history as the first Black woman host of “Meet the Press.”

“When I took over ‘Meet the Press,’ it was a Sunday show that had a lot of people questioning whether it still could have a place in the modern media space. Well, I think we’ve answered that question and then some…I’ve had the privilege of working with [Kristen] from essentially her first day, and let me just say she’s the right person in the right moment,” said Todd.

Welker has been with NBC News since 2010, working as chief White House correspondent. She moderated the final 2020 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump, making history as the youngest solo debate moderator of the presidential election and the only moderator of color. Welker has guest hosted “Meet the Press” on several occasions and serves as co-host for “Meet the Press NOW,” a streaming show that airs at 4pm on weekdays. She took to social media to celebrate Todd and express gratitude for her historic promotion.

“[Chuck Todd] has been a mentor and friend since my first day @NBCNews. I’ve learned so much from sitting with him at the anchor desk and simply experiencing his passion for politics. I’m humbled and grateful to take the baton and continue to build on the legacy of @MeetThePress,” wrote Welker.

The Sunday news show has been on air since 1947, spearheaded by its first host, Martha Rountree, the AP News reports. It gained popularity during the ‘90s and early 2000s under the leadership of host Tim Russert who moderated from 1991 until his death in 2008. Tom Brokaw has served as host as well as David Gregory before Todd took the lead. In addition to becoming the first Black moderator, Welker will also be the first woman host since Rountree’s departure in 1953.

She is set to step into her new role this September. Congratulations Kristen!

Related Posts

Snoop Dogg’s 4 Kids: All About Corde, Cordell, Cori and Julian

Get to know Snoop Dogg’s four 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren: Corde, Cordell, Cori and Julian Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic Snoop Dogg is best known for his iconic career as a rapper and his…

The Vanderbilt Ventriloquist Alumna Megan Piphus Peace finds her voice as the first Black female puppeteer on ‘Sesame Street’

Megan Piphus Peace, BA’14, MSF’15, knows a valuable piece of real estate when she sees one. After earning her master’s in finance from Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of…

S. Epatha Merkerson is an American film, stage, and television actress.

S. Epatha Merkerson (𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Sharon Epatha Merkerson; November 28, 1952) is an American actress. She has received accolades for her work, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award,…

Forest Whitaker’s 4 Kids: All About Ocean, Autumn, Sonnet and True

Forest Whitaker is a father to one son and three daughters, two of whom he welcomed with his late ex-wife Keisha Nash. True Whitaker, Forest Whitaker, Sonnet Whitaker,…

Crystal R. Fox biography: age, net worth, 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, husband

Crystal R. Fox (𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 January 1, 1964) is an American actress and singer. Fox has performed in many stage productions during her career, and is best known for…

Elon Musk to ‘summon MPs to US to explain threats to American citizens’

Elon Musk has said UK MPs “will be summoned to the United States of America to explain their censorship and threats to American citizens” in a fresh escalation of…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *