Jemele Hill
Born 1975 · Age 50
American sports journalist, former ESPN anchor and columnist, podcast host, co-founder of Lodge Freeway Media, contributing writer for The Atlantic and author of Uphill: A Memoir.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Jemele Juanita Hill was born in Detroit, Michigan.
Moved to Houston with her mother
Hill and her mother relocated to Houston; family later returned to Detroit (return year not specified in sources).
Graduated Mumford High School
Hill graduated from Mumford High School in Detroit.
Graduated Michigan State University (BA Journalism)
Hill earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Michigan State University.
Started career at The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Hill began as an intern and then general assignment sports writer at The News & Observer in Raleigh shortly after graduating MSU.
Joined the Detroit Free Press as sports writer
Hill served as a sports writer at the Detroit Free Press (mainly covering Michigan State football and basketball) from 1999 to 2005.
Covered the 2004 Summer Olympics
While at the Detroit Free Press, Hill covered the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Columnist at the Orlando Sentinel
Hill worked as a columnist for the Orlando Sentinel (2005–2006). She was notable as one of the few African-American female sports columnists at a daily U.S. paper.
Joined ESPN as national columnist
Hill joined ESPN in November 2006 as a national columnist for ESPN.com and began making regular TV appearances.
Won inaugural McKenzie Cup (Poynter)
Hill won the McKenzie Cup at the Poynter Media Summit, awarded in honor of sports editor Van McKenzie.
ESPN one-week suspension for Hitler reference
During the 2008 NBA Playoffs an editorial comment referencing Hitler led to a one-week suspension and an on-air/online apology.
Launched His & Hers podcast with Michael Smith
Hill and Michael Smith started the His & Hers podcast, which later became the basis for a TV show.
Added to ESPN2's Numbers Never Lie (TV)
Hill was added to Michael Smith's ESPN2 show Numbers Never Lie, which increased her TV profile.
His & Hers TV show runs until Jan 2017
The daily show continued to air through January 2017, building Hill's TV audience.
Named Grand Marshal of MSU Homecoming
In Fall 2014 Hill served as Grand Marshal of Michigan State University's Homecoming Parade (source: WKAR/MSU coverage).
Numbers Never Lie rebranded to His & Hers
The show was renamed His & Hers (television) a year after Hill joined, expanding beyond sports topics into culture and relationships.
Won a News & Documentary Emmy Award (Outstanding News Special)
Hill won an Emmy Award for Outstanding News Special for her work on the ABC News special 'The President and The People'.
Became co-anchor of SportsCenter (SC6) with Michael Smith
Hill and Michael Smith took over the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter, branded 'SC6 with Michael and Jemele'.
Tweeted that President Trump is a 'white supremacist'
A series of tweets critical of President Donald Trump (including calling him a 'white supremacist') triggered corporate statement and national debate.
Suspended two weeks by ESPN for social media policy violation
ESPN suspended Hill for two weeks for a second violation of its social media guidelines after she suggested Dallas Cowboys fans boycott sponsors.
Produced ESPN documentary on Colin Kaepernick (executive producer role cited)
HWA and other bios credit Hill as a producer/executive producer on an ESPN documentary on Colin Kaepernick (development/production role; specific release/credit varies by source).
Named NABJ Journalist of the Year
The National Association of Black Journalists named Hill 'Journalist of the Year' for her body of work on sports, race and culture (May 2018 announcement).
Co-founded Lodge Freeway Media (co-founder)
Hill is credited as co-founder of production company Lodge Freeway Media to empower women of color in media production (exact founding date not explicitly stated; included based on multiple bios).
ESPN announced Hill would leave SC6 for The Undefeated
ESPN announced Hill would anchor her final SC6 on Feb 2 and move to The Undefeated (ESPN's platform on race and sports).
Final SC6 broadcast
Hill anchored her final episode of SC6 on February 2, 2018.
Departed ESPN
Hill left ESPN in September 2018 after transitioning to The Undefeated earlier that year.
Joined The Atlantic as staff writer
On October 1, 2018, The Atlantic announced Hill would join as a staff writer covering sports, race, politics and pop culture.
Named one of Worth's 21 Most Powerful Women in Business of Sports
Hill was listed by Worth magazine among 21 Most Powerful Women in the Business of Sports (2019).
Launched podcast 'Jemele Hill is Unbothered'
Hill launched her podcast 'Jemele Hill is Unbothered' on Spotify; covers sports, politics and culture and features high-profile guests.
Married Ian Wallace
Hill married longtime partner Ian Wallace in November 2019.
Launched 'The Wire: Way Down in the Hole' podcast with Van Lathan
Hill and Van Lathan launched a twice-weekly Ringer podcast that recaps and analyzes HBO's The Wire.
Began co-hosting 'Cari & Jemele (Won't) Stick to Sports' on Vice
In August 2020 Hill began co-hosting a weekly show with Cari Champion on Vice covering politics, culture and sports; show ran through Feb 2021.
Acted as herself in the feature film 'National Champions'
Hill appeared in the 2021 sports drama film National Champions as herself.
Unbothered wins NAACP Awards (2 categories)
According to HWA profile, 'Jemele Hill is Unbothered' won two NAACP Awards in 2022 for Outstanding Podcast categories.
Headlined Illinois State University's MLK Cultural Dinner
Hill served as the headliner for the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Dinner at Illinois State University.
Cast in Showtime documentary series 'Everything's Gonna Be All White'
Hill was cast in the documentary series airing on Showtime examining race in America.
Published memoir 'Uphill: A Memoir'
Henry Holt & Company published Hill's memoir 'Uphill', detailing her childhood, career and personal struggles.
Continued role as contributing writer at The Atlantic
Hill continued to contribute long-form writing on sports, race and politics for The Atlantic.
Speaker engagements at Harvard, Stanford, Google and major events
Hill has been invited and appeared as a speaker at major conferences and institutions (Harvard, Stanford, Google among others); HWA lists many speaking engagements.
Estimated net worth reported ~USD 4,000,000
Recent public profiles and aggregator sites estimate Hill's net worth around $4 million (estimates vary).
Key Achievement Ages
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