Host Changes at NPR

 After the inauguration, Michele Norris will be returning to NPR in a new role as a Host/Special Correspondent, producing signature profiles of leaders in politics, pop culture, business and other fields. While on sabbatical, Michele has spent a good deal of time traveling the country and developing two successful initiatives: The Race Card Project and NPR’s Backseat Book Club.  Her new role will allow her to continue this work while producing in-depth segments for all NPR programs.

 Michele created The Race Card Project to foster a wider conversation about race after her 2010 family memoir, The Grace of Silence, was published.  Michele asked people to share their thoughts about race in just six words. More than 14,000 people from all over the globe submitted their thoughts, observations, fears, hopes and experiences about race.  Those six word stories are a rich archive of views about a complex subject. They also represent a meaningful opportunity for Michele to share her distinctive style of storytelling with NPR listeners on this important topic. To that end, I’ve asked Michele to develop features around The Race Card Project on NPR.org and related segments for broadcast, in addition to producing in-depth profile segments on newsmakers. Michele will continue to develop The Back Seat Book Club feature aimed at cultivating NPR’s youngest listenership and she will do a variety of live events and roundtable discussions to help NPR increase its visibility. Michele will also lend her unique hosting style as a guest host on NPR news programs. We’re looking forward to hearing Michele’s work in this next chapter.

 With Michele taking on a new role, Audie Cornish has agreed to step in permanently at All Things Considered. Audie has done an exceptional job this past year, revealing new depth and dimension. Her experience on Capitol Hill made her an especially valuable presence covering the 2012 election. Audie beautifully rounds out the host lineup with Robert and Melissa. She is an outstanding journalist, with a wonderful on air presence, and now she is a welcome and familiar voice to ATC listeners.

 In turn, Rachel Martin will stay on as host of Weekend Edition Sunday.  Before she began hosting, Rachel was our National Security Correspondent and draws on a decade of experience reporting all over the world. Her deep intellect, editorial range and warm presence make her the perfect choice for this position.  Rachel and Audie have won the admiration and appreciation of audiences, stations and colleagues alike.