Legendary Caribbean Heritage NYC Weatherman Awarded Key To NYC

News Americas, New York, NY, August 16, 2024: Legendary New York weatherman, journalist, and best-selling author, Caribbean roots Al Roker, was today awarded the prestigious Key to the City of New York by Mayor Eric Adams.

The honor was for his decades of contributions to broadcast journalism as as Roker marked his 70th birthday. Known to millions as “America’s weatherman,” Roker has graced NBC’s TODAY show for nearly 30 years, bringing not just weather updates but also coverage of breaking news, global events, and beloved traditions like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Al Roker, l., whose roots extend to the Caribbean, gets the key to the city of New York from Mayor Eric Adams. (NYC.gov image)

“For more than 40 years, Al Roker has been a morning institution in the households of New Yorkers and Americans across the nation,” said Mayor Adams. “Al’s infectious energy and go-getter attitude have made him the defining weatherman of his generation, connecting with audiences from local broadcasts to national coverage of world events. Today, we celebrate an iconic New Yorker who taught us ‘what’s happening in our neck of the woods.’ I’m honored to present the Key to the City to ‘America’s weatherman’—Al Roker.”

Al Roker, the son of Isabel, of Jamaican descent, and Albert Lincoln Roker Sr., a bus driver of Bahamian descent, was raised in Queens, NY. He expressed his gratitude for the recognition.

“I never imagined a kid (Al Roker) from Queens would be receiving a Key to the City of New York,” he said. “This is really special. I love this city and grew up here with my dad working as a New York City bus driver in Brooklyn. I’m so very blessed and lucky.”

Roker’s journey began in Syracuse as a weather anchor before joining TODAY, where he became a beloved figure on national television. Over his illustrious career, he has earned 14 Emmy Awards and established himself as a prominent media executive, founding Al Roker Entertainment. In addition to his broadcast work, Roker is a best-selling author, having written books on a variety of topics, including fatherhood, cooking, and murder mysteries.

The Key to the City of New York, a symbol of civic recognition dating back to 1702, is reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the public and the common good. Roker’s Caribbean roots trace back to his Jamaican mother, Isabel, and Bahamian father, Albert Lincoln Roker Sr., a New York City bus driver. Initially aspiring to be a cartoonist, Roker was raised Catholic and graduated from Xavier High School in Manhattan before embarking on his remarkable career.

Roker’s dedication, talent, and passion for his work have made him a true icon, not just in New York but across the nation, and today’s honor cements his place among the city’s most esteemed figures.