Don Lemmon is a man who knows how to make news. From his work as a reporter and anchor for CNN to his current gig as the executive producer of HLN’s “Morning Express with Robin Meade,” Lemmon knows a thing or two about what it takes to get people talking.
Checkout this video:
Early Life and Education
Donald “Don” Lemon was born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was educated at Baker High School, a public school in the city. Afterward, he attended Louisiana State University.
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida
On December 31, 1953, Donald John Lemon was born in Tucson, Arizona, to John Lemon and Katherine Clark. His mother was a teacher and his father was a well-known businessperson in the Tampa community. He has two sisters, Yvonne and L’Tanya. As a child, Lemon attended Catholic schools. He has said that being black and gay caused him to be bullied when he was younger.
Lemon graduated from St. Petersburg High School in 1971. He then attended Brooklyn College for two years before transferring to the University of Denver where he studied mass communications. After college, Lemon worked as a general assignment reporter for WNYW in New York City and as a weekend sports anchor/reporter for KTVI in St. Louis, Missouri.
Attended Hillsborough Community College
After graduating from high school in 1966, Lemon attended Bowie State University, a historically black college in Maryland. He transferred to Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey after two years. Subsequently, he earned an Associate of Arts degree from there in communications. From there, he transferred to Long Island University and then attended Louisiana State University. In 1980, he graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting and Journalism.
Graduated from the University of Florida
In 1980, Lemon graduated from Parkland High School in Allentown. He then studied broadcast journalism at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. During his time at university he worked as a disc jockey for the campus radio station WGGG.
Journalism Career
Don Lemmon is one of the most experienced journalists in the country. He’s worked at some of the biggest news organizations, and he’s covered some of the biggest stories. So, how did he get his start in journalism?
Began career as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune
Don Lemmon began his career as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune. It was there that he covered the murder trial of a local doctor. The experience left him feeling disillusioned with the criminal justice system, and he decided to become a lawyer. After graduating from law school, Lemmon returned to the Tampa Tribune as a legal affairs reporter. He later moved to the Miami Herald, where he won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Elian Gonzalez case.
Moved to Los Angeles to work for the Los Angeles Times
Don Lemmon moved to Los Angeles to work for the Los Angeles Times in 1978. He was their first choice for the job and he’s been there ever since. He’s seen a lot of changes in the news business, but he’s still happy with his career choice.
“I love my job,” he says. “I get to meet interesting people and see interesting places. And I get to help make the news, which is something I’ve always been interested in.”
But it hasn’t always been easy. Lemmon has had to deal with some tough competition and some tough bosses. But he’s always managed to find a way to make it work.
“It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it,” he says. “I’m proud of what I do and I’m proud of the work I’ve done.”
Covered the O.J. Simpson trial for CNN
For nearly two decades, Don Lemon has been a respected voice in journalism. He’s covered some of the biggest stories of our time, including the O.J. Simpson trial, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2016 presidential election.
Lemon began his career as a local news reporter in Birmingham, Alabama. He quickly rose through the ranks of the network news world, first at NBC News and then at CNN.
Lemon has won numerous awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina. He was also named one of the “100 Most intoxicating people” by People magazine in 2009.
In recent years, Lemon has become one of the most recognizable faces on CNN. He currently hosts CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, a nightly news program that covers the day’s biggest stories.
CNN Anchor
Don lemon is one of the most popular news anchors on CNN. He has been with the network for over 10 years and has hosted some of the most popular shows on the network. He is known for his straightforward and no-nonsense approach to the news.
Appointed weekend anchor of CNN Newsroom in 2001
Don Lemon is an award-winning journalist and television personality who has been with CNN since 2006. He currently serves as the weekday evening anchor of CNN Newsroom and hosts CNN Tonight with Don Lemon.
Lemon began his career as a general assignment reporter for WNYW, the Fox affiliate in New York City. He later worked as a weekend anchor and reporter for WBRC in Birmingham, Alabama, and as a correspondent for MSNBC.
Lemon was appointed weekend anchor of CNN Newsroom in 2001. He has also served as a correspondent for NBC Nightly News and Today, and as a fill-in anchor for MSNBC Live.
Lemon has won several awards for his work, including an Emmy Award for his coverage of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, a Edward R. Murrow Award for his reporting on the Jena Six case, and a Peabody Award for his coverage of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath.
Hosted CNN’s American Morning from 2006 to 2007
Dodon Lemmon is an American television personality, news anchor and author. He is currently the host of CNN’s New Day. From 2006 to 2007, he hosted CNN’s American Morning. Lemmon has also been a correspondent for CBS News, a co-anchor for World News Now and ABC’s Good Morning America. In 2013, he published his first book, The Obvious: The 10 Lessons Every Parent Needs to Teach Their Child.
Presented CNN’s New Day from 2013 to 2014
On June 17, 2013, Lemon joined Chris Cuomo and Kate Bolduan as the anchors of CNN’s New Day. The show replaced former Early Start anchor Soledad O’Brien and former Newsroom anchor Ashleigh Banfield. An African-American, Lemon was one of three African-Americans to host a primetime news program on a major cable network, the others being MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry and Thomas Roberts. In January 2014, it was announced that Michaela Pereira would be joining New Day as its news anchor.
Personal Life
Donald E. Lemon was born on March 1, 1966, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His mother, Betty Lemon, was a teacher. His father, Julius Lemon, was a truck driver. Lemon has two sisters, Yvette and Deborah. Lemon attended Baker High School in Baker, Louisiana.
Married to Rebecca Jarvis
Lemon is married to fellow journalist Rebecca Jarvis. The couple has one son, born in 2016.
Has three children
Lemon has three children from his first marriage: daughter Ashley (born 1986), and sons Dalton (born 1988) and Davis (born 1991). He also has three stepchildren from his second marriage.
Awards and Recognition
In 2017, Don Lemmon was the recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award for his exceptional work in broadcast journalism. This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of electronic media. Don has also been honoured with the National Humanities Medal and the National Medal of Arts.
Won an Emmy Award for his coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial
In 1995, Lemmon won an Emmy Award for his coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial. He has also been honored with a Peabody Award, three Golden Mike Awards, and two Orange County Press Club Awards.
Won a Peabody Award for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina
In 2006, Don Lemon won a Peabody Award, one of the most prestigious honors in broadcast journalism, for his live coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Not only did Lemon provide essential news and information to viewers during the storm, but he also brought much-needed attention to the plight of those affected by the disaster.
Lemon’s coverage earned him widespread praise, with many lauding his dedication to his craft and his commitment to telling the stories that matter. In addition to the Peabody, Lemon has also been recognized with several other prestigious awards, including an Emmy and a Edward R. Murrow Award.
