Jami Floyd

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Jami Floyd
Jami Floyd Portrait.jpg
Floyd in 2021
Born (1964-09-10) September 10, 1964 (age 61)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Education
Political party Democratic
SpouseKurt Flehinger
Children2

Jami Floyd (born September 10, 1964) is an American attorney, journalist, network news anchor, legal and political analyst, [1] and former White House Fellow. [2] [3] She is a legal analyst at ABC News and a former Legal Analyst at MSNBC, Legal Contributor to Al Jazeera America, and the former host of "All Things Considered" at WNYC Radio. She serves on Manhattan Community Board 7 as a co-chair of the Transportation Committee and is the author of a forthcoming book, “Dream Interrupted,” about Thurgood Marshall. [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Floyd was born at Mount Sinai Hospital on September 10, 1964, [5] and raised in New York City. [3] [6] Floyd is Multiracial, born to a black father and a white mother. Her father was an artist, general contractor and later became an architectural engineer. Her family lived in Mitchell-Lama housing on the Lower East Side. [7]

While at Binghamton University as an undergraduate, Floyd worked as a disc jockey at WHRW. [8] Floyd graduated in 1986 with a B.A. in political science and a concentration in Journalism. [9] In 1989, she attended and graduated with honors [10] from the UC Berkeley School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, [11] where she had been an associate editor of the law review. [8] She received a Master of Laws degree in 1995 from Stanford Law School, Stanford University, [2] [12] where she also worked as a teaching fellow. [12] [13] [14]

Career

Law

Floyd began working as an attorney in the California Supreme Court as a law clerk to Associate Justice Allen E. Broussard. [15]

She began practice in civil and criminal law when she entered the law firm Morrison & Foerster. [15] She left the firm in 1992 to join the San Francisco Public Defender office, where she worked as a trial attorney.[ citation needed ]

White House Fellow

Floyd was selected to serve in the Clinton Administration as a White House Fellow and moved to Washington, D.C. In 1993 she was assigned first to the office of First Lady Hillary Clinton, where she assisted in the Clinton Administration's effort to pass comprehensive Health Care legislation, and later to the staff of Vice President Al Gore, where she worked on the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, and various other domestic policy initiatives. [2] She also helped to vet judicial nominees and worked as a speech writer for the Vice President. [2]

Television

Floyd's first television broadcasting job was as a reporter and legal analyst for KPIX Radio and TV in San Francisco. She spent time in Los Angeles covering the murder trial of O. J. Simpson and the nationwide response to his acquittal. [14] [16] In 1995, she briefly joined CBS News as a legal analyst before moving to New York City to help launch the cable outlet Court TV as an anchor and correspondent.[ citation needed ]

In 1997, she joined ABC News, where she worked as a news correspondent for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. She has also reported for Good Morning America and Nightline and has both co-anchored Early Morning News Now with Anderson Cooper and led the Consumer Unit for 20/20. [17] [18] Beginning in 1999, she led the Law and Justice Unit with Terry Moran and John Miller.

In February 2005, Floyd returned to Court TV (now truTV) [19] [20] to launch her own series, Jami Floyd: Best Defense, [21] on which guests offered their spin on legal and political stories as well as coverage of major trials. [11]

In 2010, when Court TV folded, she joined MSNBC as a legal and political analyst. [22]

In 2012 she hosted TED Talks in NYC on NYC Media. In 2013 she joined the newly launching Al Jazeera America based in New York City. She left the network to host All Things Considered on WNYC, based in New York City. [23]

Journalism

On September 11, 2001, Floyd was dispatched by ABC News to cover the terrorist attacks. Reflecting on her reporting in the days and weeks that followed for the 9/11 Tribute Center, Floyd later said, "As a journalist you make your decision. You are going to fulfill your obligation to your viewers, readers, listeners... You cannot have a democracy without journalism." [24]

In April 2005, Floyd caused a stir with comments she made to the LA Times about then-Court TV colleague Nancy Grace. Floyd expressed a concern in the LA Times that Grace presented a televised "rush to judgment" when she said, "I rarely agree with what comes out of her mouth, but it's hard not to like the person." Floyd, who returned to Court TV's midday programming in 2005 after nearly a decade at ABC News, went on to say, "We have a lot of guests who come on and mimic Nancy." [25] In September 2005, Floyd elaborated on her comments about Grace in Elle, saying: "Nancy's appeal is not unlike Oprah's. Nancy is Everywoman, someone you could see at a mall, on the bus. She's not an elitist from Harvard. She is what any woman could become." [26]

In 2008, Floyd began appearing on Fox News in the early days of the Obama Administration, most often on Bill O'Reilly's prime time program, The O'Reilly Factor. In August 2009, a segment she appeared on went viral when she sparred with O'Reilly over the CIA interrogation of terror suspects after 9/11.

From 2009-2013, Floyd was a regular legal and political analyst and part time-daytime anchor at MSNBC. [27]

From 2016 to 2018, she was a legal editor and contributor to More Perfect, hosted by JAD Abumrad. [28]

In 2021, she teamed up with Abumrad again for the six part series, The Vanishing of Harry Pace

From 2010 to 2022, Floyd co-hosted, with WNYC's Brian Lehrer, an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration at the Apollo Theater. Together they moderated panels, introduced live music performances, hosted spiritual leaders and engaged in conversation with a full theater from Harlem on the topic of social justice and Dr. King's vision for America. [29]

Through 2022, she served as a legal analyst on the PBS News Hour [30] as well as the Senior Editor at New York Public Radio [31]

Retracted articles and resignation from WNYC

In November 2021, four articles authored by Floyd that were published on the WNYC news site Gothamist between March and October 2021 were retracted for use of unattributed language from other publications. [32] In a statement, Ms. Floyd acknowledged "mistakes," saying they were "never intentional or designed to deceive anyone." [32]

In March 2022, Floyd contracted to write a book about Thurgood Marshall and resigned from WNYC to pursue her book deal [33]

On Monday, April 4, 2022, several news outlets reported that Floyd had been accused of plagiarism in 45 articles going back to 2010, reports Floyd denied. WNYC management stated that plagiarism was a fireable offense. [34] [35] [36]

On February 9, 2023, Floyd filed suit in federal court against WNYC and its parent company, New York Public Radio, for race discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment. [37] [38] [39] WNYC tried to dismiss the lawsuit but, in April 2024, the judge found enough facts for the case to move forward. [40] In October 2024, Floyd and WNYC settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount. [41]

Awards and honors

Floyd has won more than a dozen awards, including the Gracie Award, the Telly Award, and the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Award and the RTNDA Unity Award. She has been nominated twice for an Emmy Award. [42]

In August 2015, she was named a Public Scholar by the New York Council for the Humanities, for a two-year term, fall 2015 to fall 2017. [43]

In 2016, she was a consulting producer on Ezra Edelman's Academy Award winning documentary, OJ: Made in America. [44]

In 2021, she was part of the team that won a Dupont Award for the radio documentary Blindspot: Tulsa Burning.

Personal life

Floyd married criminal defense and civil rights attorney Kurt Flehinger, and they have two children together. [45] [46] In 1996, Floyd moved to New York's Upper West Side, where the family has since resided. [45] [47]

References

  1. ↑ Real Times Media (2009). Who's who in Black New York City. Who's Who Publishing Company. p. 188.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Largest Number of Blacks Ever Now Serve in Washington DC as White House Fellows". Jet . 84 (2): 25. November 8, 1993. ISSN   0021-5996.
  3. 1 2 Chideya, Farai (February 4, 2008). "Your Race, Your Looks". Glamour . Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ Deahl |, Rachel. "Book Deals: Week of April 4, 2022". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ Floyd, Jami (January 14, 2011). "The Ties that Bind". WNYC . Archived from the original on January 17, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  6. ↑ Floyd, Jami. "Jami Floyd personal bio". 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  7. ↑ Calderone, Michael (August 1, 2005). "Mellon Townhouse Hits Market for $26.5 M.; Court TV's Jami Floyd Moves On Up to West Side for $1.3 M." Observer. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Blando-George, Natalie (Winter 2005). "Jami Floyd '86". Binghamton Alumni Journal. 13 (2). Archived from the original on February 17, 2013.
  9. ↑ staff. "Jami Floyd '86". Binghamton University. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Previous Competition Winners, 1988 – Winner – Jami Floyd". UC Berkeley School of Law. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  11. 1 2 staff (September 18, 2011). "Nationally-Renowned Journalist Jami Floyd Joins The Global Game as Managing editor". The Global Game. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Broadcasting & Cable, Volume 126, Issues 43-53. Cahners Publishing Company. 1996. p. 46.
  13. ↑ "Jami Floyd, Broadcast Journalist". Center for Communications. Archived from the original on November 27, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  14. 1 2 The O.J. Simpson murder trial: trial of the century, Volume 3. Northwestern University. 1996. p. 98.
  15. 1 2 Floyd, Jami (1995). "The Other Box: Intersectionality and the O.J. Simpson Trial (1995)". Hastings Women's Law Journal. 6. HeinOnline: 241. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  16. ↑ Who's who in Black New York City. Who's Who Publishing. 2009. p. 188.
  17. ↑ convictions, the Innocence Project to reverse wrongful; Sept. 11, was with the first team of ABC News reporters dispatched on; rights, 2001 She has widely reported on civil; discrimination; Emmy, secured interviews with a long list of prominent newsmakers Jami has been twice nominated for an; Awards, Has Won Several; Outst, including a Gracie Award for; Program, ing Host of a Television News; Outst, a Telly award for. "Jami Floyd, Author at Need to Know". Need to Know | PBS. Archived from the original on June 8, 2010. Retrieved July 31, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ Dyson, Michael Eric (2008). Is Bill Cosby Right?: Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind?. Basic Books. ISBN   9780786722075. She has widely reported on civil; discrimination; secured interviews with a long list of prominent newsmakers Jami has been twice nominated for an award
  19. ↑ Robbins, Liz (January 27, 2009). "The Blagojevich TV Tour, Day Two". The New York Times . Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  20. ↑ Ariens, Chris (November 25, 2009). "Even Anchors Are Traveling Today: Jami Floyd Filling in on MSNBC". TV Newser. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  21. ↑ Becker, Anne (January 17, 2006). "Court Tweaks Schedule, Adds Show". Broadcasting & Cable . Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  22. ↑ "TVNewser | Jobs in TV News". www.mediabistro.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  23. ↑ "WNYC Names Jami Floyd New Host Of Evening Drive-Time Show All Things Considered | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Journalists & 9/11 | Interactive Exhibit | 9/11 Tribute Center". exhibits.tributewtc.org. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  25. ↑ Martel, Ned (April 11, 2005). "She Rants, They Rave". Los Angeles Times.
  26. ↑ "Quoteworthy". Chicago Tribune. September 21, 2005. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  27. ↑ JamiFloydChannel (July 29, 2011). Jami Floyd MSNBC Compilation . Retrieved October 6, 2025– via YouTube.
  28. ↑ "More Perfect: Previous Seasons | WNYC Studios | Podcasts". WNYC Studios. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  29. ↑ JamiFloydChannel (January 10, 2022). Jami Floyd in conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project . Retrieved October 5, 2025– via YouTube.
  30. ↑ JamiFloydChannel (September 29, 2020). Jami Floyd legal analyst appears in advance of SCOTUS confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett . Retrieved October 5, 2025– via YouTube.
  31. ↑ "The Docket with Jami Floyd | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  32. 1 2 Tracy, Mark (November 19, 2021). "WNYC Retracts Four Articles on Its News Site, Gothamist". New York Times.
  33. ↑ Deahl |, Rachel. "Book Deals: Week of April 4, 2022". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  34. ↑ Snyder, Gabriel. "WNYC Staffer Resigns Following Retractions for Plagiarism - The Fine Print". thefineprintnyc.com.
  35. ↑ "Jami Floyd, Accused Of Plagiarism By WNYC, Plans To Sue The Station". Insideradio.com. April 5, 2022.
  36. ↑ "WNYC, seeking to end a crisis, may have sparked another". Columbia Journalism Review.
  37. ↑ "New York Public Radio Sued By Former Reporter Who Alleges Pattern Of Racial Discrimination". Inside Radio. February 13, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Ex-All Things Considered Host Floyd Sues WNYC for Race Bias". Bloomberg Law. February 10, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Floyd v. New York Public Radio". Pacer Monitor. February 9, 2023.
  40. ↑ mjpospis (April 3, 2024). "Radio Host Jami Floyd's Race Discrimination Survives Motion to Dismiss – Pospis Law, PLLC" . Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  41. ↑ Floyd, Jax F. (October 2, 2024). "Former New York Public Radio Host Settles Discrimination Suit Against Station". Insideradio.com. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Jami Floyd". PBS. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Jami Floyd: Fair Press vs. Free Trial". New York Council for the Humanities. Archived from the original on September 4, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  44. ↑ "O.J.: Made in America - Cast | IMDbPro". pro.imdb.com. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  45. 1 2 Calderone, Michael (August 1, 2005). "Mellon Townhouse Hits Market for $26.5 M.; Court TV's Jami Floyd Moves On Up to West Side for $1.3 M." The New York Observer . Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  46. ↑ Gardner, Ralph. "Alpha Women, Beta Men". New York . Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  47. ↑ Shaw, Dan (September 25, 2015). "Jami Floyd, WNYC Host, on the Upper West Side". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 24, 2017.
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