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Suggested Topics
- African Americans in the Media
- The National Political Agenda
and The Community of Color
BIO
Hard-hitting and inspiring. Exacting
and intelligent. Honest and direct. These are
the classic characteristics that describe the
journalistic style and approach of Emmy Award-winning
newsman Ed Gordon. Gordon's knack for landing
exclusives and encouraging even the most reclusive
newsmakers to share their private thoughts was
most recently demonstrated on May 8, 2002, when
Gordon conducted the first national interview
of singer-songwriter R. Kelly, under fire for
alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. The special
two-part interview earned an impressive 1.7 rating
and attracted a record 1.2 million viewers.
Best known for his groundbreaking
interviews of newsmakers from the worlds of politics
and entertainment and signature, no-nonsense delivery
of news, views and issues affecting the public,
Gordon has emerged as one of the most important
and respected voices in media today. The multi-talented
producer, writer, and broadcaster is seen nightly
as host of the new BET Tonight, which premiered
in November 2001. Gordon will continue to host
the highly regarded newsmaker profile series,
Conversation with Ed Gordon, also on BET, and
can be heard weekly on ABC Radio's nationally
syndicated "Doug Banks Morning Show,"
where he presents news and commentary on "On
Point with Ed Gordon."
The Detroit born Gordon has seen
his career take him from the halls of Western
Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor's
degree in communications and political science,
to bringing the news of the day to millions of
viewers and listeners across the nation. Indeed,
Gordon's career has been characterized by a number
of firsts.
Gordon returned to BET in the year
2000 following a three-year stint at NBC where
he combined his knack for securing exclusives
with his insight and distinctive style of presenting
and interpreting breaking news. A contributor
to both The Today Show and Dateline on NBC, Gordon
brought viewers face-to-face with many controversial
figures of the day, bringing their stories and
struggles to bear. Among them was an exclusive
with Autumn Jackson, who unsuccessfully waged
an explosive patrimony suit against actor/author
Bill Cosby.
Upon his return to BET, Gordon immediately
landed an exclusive interview with pop superstar
Janet Jackson, becoming the first television journalist
to do so following the singer's divorce. As anchor
of BET News with Ed Gordon, he provided up-to-the-minute
reports on domestic and international affairs
and their ramifications for all Americans, including
the World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedies
of September 11. Additionally, his one-on-one
reporting on Conversation with Ed Gordon and earlier
role as host of BET's roundtable talk show, Lead
Story, has brought the lives of important and
provocative newsmakers to the force of the public
consciousness and has included profiles of newsmakers
from Oprah Winfrey to Mary J. Blige; the Reverand
Al Sharpton to Whitney Houston; Newt Gingrich
to Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan;
and Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, as
well as South African President Nelson Mandela.
In addition to an Emmy, Gordon has
received numerous awards in recognition of his
professionalism and talent. He is the recipient
of the National Association of Black Journalists
(NABJ) Award of Excellence as well as the organization's
Outstanding Journalistic Endeavor award. A winner
of the Communication Excellence to Black Audiences
(CEBA) award for Merit, Distinction and Excellence,
Gordon has also been nominated for an ACE award,
cable television's highest honor. In 1996, Gordon
was named one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful
People.
From controversy to celebration,
Gordon has the experience, strength and talent
to deliver.
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