Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
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United States Roland Martin is a veteran journalist, commentator, and media entrepreneur, known for his work in television, radio, and digital platforms covering race, politics, and social issues.
Journalist Roland Martin rejected a six-figure contract from TV One to launch his own show instead. He used to host shows like 'News One Now' and 'Washington Watch with Roland Martin' on the network, but later decided to build his own independent platform.
Roland Martin featured Actively Black founder in a segment on 'Roland Martin Unfiltered' discussing the importance of Black America supporting Black-owned fashion companies.
Roland Martin's media company. New Vision Media reportedly received $350,000 for a quote, illustrating the financial engagement and potential influence within Black-owned media.
Roland Martin is the founder of Black Star Network, an independent media company focused on pushing conversations about race, politics, and progress into the mainstream, and redefining Black media. The network is described as profitable and expanding.
Roland Sebastian Martin was born on November 14, 1968, in Houston, Texas. His maternal great-grandparents emigrated from Haiti to Louisiana. He pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Texas A&M University and later a master’s degree in Christian communications from Louisiana Baptist University. Martin’s early career involved working as managing editor for the Houston Defender and the Dallas Weekly, and as owner/publisher of Dallas-Fort Worth Heritage, a Christian monthly newspaper. He also gained experience in radio at KRLD/1080AM and KKDA-AM in Dallas, and in print for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Austin American-Statesman. These foundational experiences in diverse media laid the groundwork for his extensive career as a prominent voice in journalism.
Martin’s career saw significant progression with roles that amplified his platform. From 2005 to 2008, he hosted a morning radio talk show on WVON in Chicago. He joined CNN as a contributor in February 2007, appearing on programs such as “The Situation Room” and “AC360.” In October 2008, he became a senior analyst for the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He hosted TV One’s Sunday news program “Washington Watch with Roland Martin” starting in 2009, which ran for four years. In 2013, he launched “NewsOne Now” on TV One, which was the network’s first live daily morning news program. Although the show was canceled in 2017, Martin received two NAACP Image Awards for his work on it. He then transitioned to digital media, launching “Roland Martin Unfiltered” on YouTube in 2018, building a significant online presence.
Throughout his career, Martin has authored several books, including “Speak, Brother! A Black Man’s View of America,” “Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith,” “The First: President Barack Obama’s Road to the White House as originally reported by Roland S. Martin,” and “White Fear: How the Browning of America is Making White Folks Lose Their Minds.” He has received over 20 awards for his journalism, including a regional Edward R. Murrow award and the top sports reporting award from the National Association of Black Journalists in 1997. In October 2008, he was inducted into Texas A&M’s journalism “Hall of Honor.” Martin is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the American Society of Newspaper Editors. His work consistently focuses on providing a platform for Black voices and addressing critical issues within the Black community and beyond.
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