NABJ Names Lester Holt 2016 Journalist of the Year

By A.J. Katz 

Lester Holt, anchor of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, has been named 2016 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

The annual award recognizes a black journalist who has distinguished himself or herself with a body of work that has great depth and significance to people in the African Diaspora.

“Lester Holt is a dynamic broadcaster who is diligent in his pursuit of the facts and demonstrates a stellar work ethic that shows up in his reporting, which also provides context and superior coverage for television and digital audiences,” NABJ President Sarah Glover said. “His quiet confidence and low-key demeanor have garnered trust and admiration from both the viewers who watch him every night and from journalists across the country.”

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Holt was named the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News in June 2015, making him the first black solo anchor at a flagship newscast of a major U.S. television network.

He has been a journalist for 35 years, taking on many roles for NBC News since joining the team in 2000. Holt started out as an anchor for MSNBC and later anchored the weekend editions of Today and NBC Nightly News. He also continues to anchor Dateline NBC.

Holt is leading NBC’s political coverage and moderated the NBC News and YouTube Democratic debate.

He will be recognized at the association’s Annual Convention and Career Fair, Aug. 3-7, in Washington, D.C. The NABJ Special Honors recognize the best journalism that addressed issues affecting the black community in 2015.

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