Craig Melvin's Homecoming to Columbia Airs on NBC's 'Today'
South Carolina native Craig Melvin will highlight his Midlands hometown in a segment scheduled for Thursday's edition of the Today show. The segment preview aired Wednesday, featuring clips shared on WIS's Facebook page.
“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.”
In the video, Melvin is seen at the newly renovated Finlay Park, talking over scenes of local restaurants, a barbershop visit, and a conversation with Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, who was recently re-elected in Tuesday’s local election.
Melvin's return to Columbia comes nearly a year after he was named co-host of NBC’s Today show, succeeding Hoda Kotb. He earned the role after 13 years with NBC News.
The Columbia native is widely recognized for his early career at WIS, the local NBC affiliate, where he began working while still a student at Columbia High School and later became the nightly news anchor.
Even from his national platform, Melvin often emphasizes his roots and has made sharing his home state a regular theme. This segment offers viewers a personal glimpse of his connection to Columbia.
Summary: Craig Melvin returns to Columbia to share his personal journey and hometown highlights on NBC’s Today show, celebrating the place that shaped him.