Craig Melvin’s Homecoming to Columbia Featured on NBC’s 'Today'
South Carolina native Craig Melvin will showcase his Midlands hometown in a special segment airing Thursday on NBC’s national morning show, Today.
Previewing the segment on Wednesday, Melvin shared a clip on the Facebook page of local station WIS, inviting viewers to join him in Columbia, S.C.
“Welcome to my hometown, Columbia, S.C. Join me for a little trip down memory lane. I’m going to bring you back here to my childhood with my kid brother, introduce you to some of my favorite people and places that really sort of shaped me, molded me. And of course, there will be food.”
The video features Melvin visiting Finlay Park, dining at local restaurants, stopping by a barber shop, and speaking with Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, who recently won re-election.
From Local Roots to National Spotlight
Melvin’s visit marks nearly a year since he was named co-host of NBC’s Today show, succeeding Hoda Kotb after 13 years at NBC News.
He is well-remembered in Columbia for his time at WIS, the local NBC affiliate, where he began working as a high school student and eventually became the nightly news anchor.
Highlighting His Hometown
Since rising to a national platform, Melvin has often celebrated his South Carolina roots, with this segment offering locals a closer look at Columbia through his perspective.
“I’m going to bring you back here to my childhood with my kid brother, introduce you to some of my favorite people and places that really sort of shaped me, molded me.”
This segment is a nostalgic and personal reflection on Melvin’s upbringing and the community that influenced him.
Author’s summary: Craig Melvin returns to Columbia to spotlight his roots and local culture on NBC’s Today, blending personal memories with stories of his hometown impact.
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