Lester Holt is a renowned American broadcast journalist, best known for anchoring NBC’s Nightly News since 2015 and Dateline NBC since 2011.
Born on March 8, 1959, in Marin County, California, he made history as the first African American to solo anchor a weekday network nightly newscast.
Holt has covered significant global events throughout his career and has been recognized for his journalistic excellence.
His dedication to delivering high-quality news has earned him numerous awards and accolades.
Parents
Lester’s parents are June DeRozario and Lester Don Holt Sr. His mother, June, was born in Harlem, New York, to a family with Jamaican heritage.
Her father, Canute DeRozario, was of Anglo-Indian descent, and her mother, May, was Afro-Jamaican. This diverse background has contributed to Lester Holt’s rich cultural roots.
Lester’s father, Lester Don Holt Sr., was an African American from Michigan with roots in Tennessee. He served as a sergeant in the Air Force for over twenty years.
June had a previous marriage and a son named Mike “Swani” Swanigan, who is eight years older than Lester.
Career
Holt started his career in radio as a DJ before moving into television in 1981 at WCBS-TV in New York. This early experience laid the groundwork for his future success in broadcast journalism.
In 2000, Holt joined MSNBC, where he covered pivotal events such as the 9/11 attacks.
His ability to handle breaking news and provide clear, concise reporting helped establish him as a reliable anchor.
Holt became a weekend anchor for “NBC Nightly News” in 2007.
His role expanded in 2015 when he took over as the full-time anchor, making history as the first African American to solo anchor a weekday network nightly newscast.
Additionally, Holt has been a principal anchor of “Dateline NBC” since 2011.
His work on this program has showcased his ability to delve into in-depth stories and investigations, further solidifying his reputation as a skilled journalist.
Throughout his career, Holt has received numerous awards for his journalistic excellence.
He won a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for his work on “48 Hours” and a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2019.
These awards highlight his commitment to impactful storytelling and investigative reporting.
In 2016, Holt moderated the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, demonstrating his ability to handle high-pressure situations and maintain neutrality in critical moments.
He has also won multiple Emmy Awards for his contributions to news coverage.