Roland martin
Roland Sebastian Martin  |
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 Roland Sebastian Martin |
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| Born | November 14, 1968, Houston, Texas |
| Native name | Roland Sebastian Martin |
| Nationality | Texas |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | Present |
Roland S. Martin Biography
Roland S. Martin is an American award-winning journalist, author, political commentator, television personality, broadcaster, and digital media entrepreneur. Over a career spanning newspapers, radio, television, publishing, and digital media, Martin has become widely recognized for his coverage and commentary on American politics, elections, social issues, culture, education, and issues affecting African American communities.
He is the host and managing editor of RolandMartinUnfiltered and the founder of the **Black Star Network**, a digital media company that produces programming covering news, politics, culture, history, finance, and wellness. His career has included prominent positions and appearances with organizations including CNN, TV One, the *Chicago Defender*, and several major American newspapers and radio stations.
Early Life
Roland S. Martin was born and raised in **Houston, Texas**. His interest in journalism and communications developed during his childhood and teenage years. His parents played an important role in shaping his interest in civic engagement and current affairs. His father was an avid consumer of television news, while his parents were involved in their Houston neighborhood and helped establish a civic club to encourage community participation.
Martin has described his upbringing as one that encouraged him to pay attention to what was happening around him. His early exposure to news, community affairs, and communications helped shape his decision to pursue journalism as a profession. Texas A&M University's account of his life notes that his childhood experiences helped develop the curiosity, discipline, and attentiveness that later became important characteristics of his journalism career.
During his teenage years, Martin discovered a strong interest in communications. He attended **Jack Yates High School** in Houston, where he participated in a communications-focused magnet program. He became involved in journalism and media projects while still in school, establishing an early foundation for his future career.
Education
Martin graduated from **Jack Yates High School's Magnet School of Communications in 1987**. He subsequently attended **Texas A&M University**, where he studied journalism and became actively involved in student media.
While attending Texas A&M, Martin contributed to **The Battalion**, worked with **The Eagle**, and gained broadcasting experience with **KBTX**. His university years allowed him to develop practical reporting and broadcasting skills while building the foundation for his professional journalism career.
He graduated from Texas A&M University in **1991 with a bachelor's degree in journalism**. Martin later earned a **master's degree in Christian Communications from Louisiana Baptist University**. He has also received honorary degrees from several institutions, including Florida Memorial University, the University of Maryland University College, Lemoyne-Owen College, Lane College, and South Carolina State University.
Beginning of His Journalism Career
After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1991, Martin began his professional journalism career at the **Austin American-Statesman**, where he covered county government and neighborhood news.
His early assignments provided him with experience covering government, politics, communities, and major breaking-news events. He later joined the **Fort Worth Star-Telegram**, where he worked as a city hall reporter and expanded his reporting experience.
During this period, Martin covered significant national events, including the **1992 Republican National Convention**, the aftermath of **Hurricane Andrew**, the **1993 Branch Davidian standoff in Waco**, and the **1995 Oklahoma City bombing**. His coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing contributed to his early professional recognition.
Radio and Newspaper Caree
Martin subsequently expanded his career into radio and became a reporter and broadcaster in the Dallas area. He worked with **KRLD/1080 AM** and later served as a news director and morning anchor at **KKDA-AM**.
His journalism career also included leadership positions at several publications. He worked as managing editor of the **Dallas Weekly** and the **Houston Defender**, and later became executive editor and general manager of the historic **Chicago Defender**.
Martin also served as founding news editor for **Savoy Magazine** and founding editor of **BlackAmericaWeb.com**. He became an early participant in digital journalism, helping introduce audio and video podcasting through the Chicago Defender during the mid-2000s.
From **2005 to 2008**, Martin hosted a radio talk program on **WVON-AM in Chicago**, initially as a midday host and later during morning drive time. He later served as a senior analyst for the **Tom Joyner Morning Show**, where his commentary reached a large nationally syndicated radio audience.
Television Career
Martin became increasingly prominent in television journalism and political commentary. He spent approximately six years as a **CNN contributor**, appearing on programs including *The Situation Room* and *Anderson Cooper 360°*.
His television work established him as a recognizable political analyst and commentator, particularly on elections, government, public policy, race, and issues affecting African American communities.
He later joined **TV One**, where he became host and managing editor of **NewsOne Now**, a daily news program focused on news and issues important to African American audiences.
He also hosted **Washington Watch with Roland Martin**, further establishing his reputation as a television interviewer and political commentator.
RolandMartinUnfiltered
In **2018**, Martin launched **#RolandMartinUnfiltered**, a daily digital news and commentary program.
The program was created to provide news, analysis, interviews, and discussions covering politics, entertainment, sports, culture, and current affairs, with a particular focus on the experiences and perspectives of African American communities.
The launch represented an important transition in Martin's career from traditional television broadcasting toward independent digital media. His official biography describes #RolandMartinUnfiltered as the first daily online show centered on news and analysis from an explicitly African American perspective.
Black Star Network
On **September 4, 2021**, Martin launched the **Black Star Network**, an independent over-the-top digital media network.
Black Star Network expanded Martin's media work beyond a single program by creating a broader platform for original programming. Its content includes news, politics, culture, history, finance, and wellness.
Through the network, Martin has continued developing his role as both a journalist and media entrepreneur, using digital broadcasting to reach audiences directly through online and streaming platforms.
Books and Writing
In addition to broadcasting, Roland S. Martin is an author and writer.
His published works include:
- Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith*
- Speak, Brother! A Black Man's View of America*
- The First: President Barack Obama's Road to the White House*
His writing has addressed faith, African American life, politics, leadership, and American society. The National Association of Black Journalists has also documented his work as an author alongside his journalism career.
Awards and Honors
Roland S. Martin has received numerous professional awards and honors throughout his journalism career.
One of his most notable recognitions came in **2013**, when the **National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)** named him **Journalist of the Year**. The award recognized his extensive journalism and analysis, particularly his coverage of voter suppression and issues affecting African American voters during the 2012 presidential election.
Other major recognitions include:
- **2008 NABJ President's Award**
- **2008 Texas A&M University Journalism Hall of Honor induction**
- **2013 NABJ Journalist of the Year**
- **Four-time NAACP Image Award winner**
- **NABJ Hall of Fame induction in 2021**
- **Society of Professional Journalists Fellow in 2022**
- Numerous additional journalism awards and professional honors
Martin's official biography states that he has received more than 40 awards for journalistic excellence during his career.
His induction into the **Texas A&M Journalism Hall of Honor** in 2008 is also independently documented by the university's former journalism students organization.
- Professional Organizations and Leadership
Martin has maintained long-standing connections with professional journalism organizations. He is a **life member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)** and a life member of **Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.**
He has also participated in journalism education, professional development, and discussions concerning education reform and civic engagement.
His involvement with professional organizations has extended beyond his own journalism career, including work supporting the development of journalism and encouraging greater participation in media and public affairs.
Influence and Media Legacy
Roland S. Martin's career represents the evolution of journalism from traditional newspapers and radio to television and independent digital media.
He began as a local newspaper reporter and progressed through positions in newspapers, radio, magazines, television, syndicated commentary, and digital broadcasting. His career has given him experience across virtually every major form of modern journalism.
His work has particularly emphasized political participation, elections, education, African American communities, social issues, and public affairs. His transition into independent digital media through **#RolandMartinUnfiltered** and the **Black Star Network** has also positioned him as a media entrepreneur as well as a journalist.
Personal Life
Roland S. Martin is married to **Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin**, an author and professional who has written books focusing on faith, relationships, balanced living, and family.
Martin has maintained a connection to both his Texas roots and the broader national media community throughout his career.
Roland S. Martin Today
Today, Roland S. Martin continues to work as a **journalist, political commentator, author, broadcaster, interviewer, and digital media entrepreneur**.
Through #RolandMartinUnfiltered and the Black Star Network, he continues to produce news and commentary while interviewing political leaders, public officials, entertainers, athletes, authors, activists, and other prominent figures.
His career has spanned more than three decades and includes work in **newspapers, radio, television, magazines, publishing, syndicated commentary, and digital media**.