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Art Norman
Maker interview details
Interview
- October 21, 2014
Profession
- Category:
MediaMakers
- Occupation(s):
Broadcast journalist
Birthplace
- Born: September 6, 1947
- Birth Location: Harlem, New York
Favorites
- Favorite Color: Blue, Purple
- Favorite Food: Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potatoes, Collard Greens
- Favorite Time of Year: Fall
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Jamaica
Favorite Quote
"Precious Lord Take My Hand"
Biography
Broadcast journalist Art Norman was born in New York City, New York. Norman graduated with his B.S. degree in math and physics from Johnson C. Smith University, where he was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He has also received a first class F.C.C. engineer’s license.
Norman began his broadcasting career in 1969 when he was hired as a television engineer at WCCB-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. Throughout the 1970s, he worked as a reporter at WPCQ-TV and WSOC-TV, both located in Charlotte; and, in 1976, he served as a writer and photographer on the George Foster Peabody Award winning edition of NBC's "Weekend Magazine." Norman was then hired as a reporter and weekend anchor for Baltimore, Maryland’s WMAR-TV in 1979. In July of 1982, he joined WMAQ-TV NBC5 in Chicago, Illinois as a general assignment reporter. At WMAQ, Norman went on to cover breaking news, anchor broadcasts and cultivate community-oriented feature segments, including the popular “Art Norman’s Chicago.” He retired from WMAQ in 2009, but returned on a part-time basis as a special contributor in 2012.
Norman has received many awards throughout his career. He won North Carolina's RTNDA Award for his coverage of a fatal air balloon crash in 1975, and his documentary on the plight of poor children won a 1978 School Bell Award from the National Association of Educators. He received a 1984 International Radio and Television News Directors Award and a 1987 Wilbur Award; his hosted series, "Cops and Robbers," was honored with two prestigious awards: a national Investigative Reporters and Editors Award and an Associated Press Award for "Best Investigative Reporting." Norman was an integral part of NBC5's coverage of the Beirut hostage crisis, which earned him a 1986 Emmy Award. He also received Emmys for his contributions to NBC5's coverage of the Laurie Dann spot news story; his spot news coverage of the Fox River Grove Bus Crash; and his contribution to NBC5's coverage of the Chicago Auto Show. In all, Norman has earned six Emmy Awards.
Norman's involvement with the Chicago community has also been extensive. In addition to hosting numerous community events each year, he is a spokesman for the United Negro College Fund and serves as an on-air host of their telethon. He is also a frequent NBC 5 News ambassador.
Norman is married and lives in Evanston, Illinois.
Art Norman was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on October 21, 2014.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Art Norman's interview
- Art Norman lists his favorites, pt. 1
- Art Norman lists his favorites, pt. 2
- Art Norman describes his mother's family background
- Art Norman talks about his parents' move to New York City
- Art Norman describes his mother's life in New York City's Harlem neighborhood
- Art Norman remembers growing up in the Harlem community in New York City
- Art Norman describes his father's family background
- Art Norman remembers his father's combat injuries from World War II
- Art Norman remembers visiting relatives after his parents' separation
- Art Norman describes his half-brother
- Art Norman remembers his twin brother, Lionel Norman
- Art Norman talks about his likeness to his parents
- Art Norman describes his earliest childhood memory
- Art Norman remembers his father's mindset about his war injuries
- Art Norman remembers his interests during grade school
- Art Norman talks about the influence of his mentors at Camp Minisink
- Art Norman describes his experiences at Samuel Gompers Vocational and Technical High School in Bronx, New York
- Art Norman talks about his time as a television repairman
- Art Norman remembers building the WJCS Radio station at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Art Norman remembers the criticism of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Art Norman recalls the aftermath of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination
- Art Norman remembers his first professional broadcasting experiences
- Art Norman talks about changing his accent
- Art Norman talks about Steve Jobs' approach to interface design
- Art Norman describes how he became a reporter at WSOC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Art Norman remembers declining Ted Turner's offer to work at CNN
- Art Norman recalls covering a fatal air balloon crash in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Art Norman remembers his investigative coverage of a nuclear power plant in North Carolina
- Art Norman remembers his experiences at WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Maryland
- Art Norman talks about the founding of the National Association of Black Journalists
- Art Norman remembers joining WMAQ-TV in Chicago, Illinois
- Art Norman describes how Oprah Winfrey came to WLS-TV in Chicago, Illinois
- Art Norman remembers the election of Mayor Harold Washington
- Art Norman talks about Mayor Harold Washington's relationship with the press
- Art Norman remembers the aftermath of Mayor Harold Washington's death
- Art Norman reflects upon the connections between Harold Washington and President Barack Obama
- Art Norman recalls the National Association of Black Journalists' research on the media representation of African Americans
- Art Norman remembers covering a shooting at a family court in Chicago, Illinois
- Art Norman remembers his journalistic mentors
- Art Norman talks about his coverage of Andrew Wilson's trial
- Art Norman recalls covering the Laurie Dann shooting
- Art Norman remembers his interactions with Mr. T
- Art Norman talks about covering unlawful searches by Cook County sheriff's deputies
- Art Norman remembers an investigation of racial profiling in the Highland Park Police Department
- Art Norman reflects upon his journalistic philosophy
- Art Norman remembers Barack Obama's first campaign for the U.S. Senate
- Art Norman remembers the proposal to hire Jerry Springer at WMAQ-TV
- Art Norman talks about his news segment, 'Art Norman's Chicago'
- Art Norman remembers John H. Johnson
- Art Norman remembers the death of his first wife
- Art Norman talks about his friendship with President Barack Obama
- Art Norman talks about his relationships with his mentees
- Art Norman remembers covering a Ku Klux Klan rally in Concord, North Carolina
- Art Norman reflects upon his experiences as a black reporter in the South
- Art Norman reflects upon his experiences of racism in Chicago, Illinois
- Art Norman talks about his favorite news stories
- Art Norman reflects upon his legacy
- Art Norman talks about his family
- Art Norman remembers meeting Terri Diggs Norman
- Art Norman reflects upon his mentorship of young journalists
- Art Norman describes how he would like to be remembered