Ed Gordon

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.