On November 3, NBC News correspondent Kristen Welker will make history as the first Black woman to moderate a general election presidential debate. It’s a monumental moment for Welker, who has worked tirelessly throughout her career to break down barriers and amplify diverse voices..
Welker’s journey to this historic moment began in Philadelphia, where she was born and raised. Her parents, Harvey and Julie Welker, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for journalism. Welker’s father, a jazz musician, taught her the importance of perseverance and never giving up on her dreams. Her mother, a social worker, instilled in her a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to social justice..
Welker attended Harvard University, where she studied American history and government. After graduating, she began her career as a journalist at ABC News, where she worked as a correspondent in Atlanta and Philadelphia. In 2005, she joined NBC News, where she has since covered a wide range of stories, including the 2008 presidential election, the BP oil spill, and the COVID-19 pandemic..
Throughout her career, Welker has consistently broken down barriers for women and people of color in the media. In 2011, she became the first Black woman to co-anchor NBC’s weekend edition of .
