Mayor Adams Awards Key To The City Of New York To Legendary New York Weatherman, Journalist, And Best-Selling Author Al Roker

August 20, 2024

Key to the City of New York Honors Roker's Decades of Contribution to Broadcast Journalism as 'America's Weatherman'

NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams today awarded a Key to the City of New York to legendary New York weatherman, journalist, and best-selling author Al Roker for his decades of contribution to broadcast journalism. To many, Roker is "America's weatherman," nearly 30 years on NBC's national morning broadcast "TODAY," informing millions about more than just the weather, but on breaking-news, the latest trends, and iconic global events, such as the Olympics and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"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 winning smile, infectious energy, and go-getter attitude have been how TODAY'S millions of viewers a week start their day. A child of Queens, Al worked his way up the ranks to become the defining weatherman of his generation, leaping from local broadcast news and into living rooms across the country. We have spent everything from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades to Olympics to generation defining breaking news together with Al. Today, we celebrate an iconic New Yorker who taught us 'what's happening in our neck of the woods.' I'm honored to deliver the Key to the City to 'America's weatherman' - Al Roker."

"I never imagined a kid from Queens would be receiving a Key to the City of New York," said Al Roker. "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."

Al Roker accepts the Key to the City of New York from Mayor Eric Adams.

Born and raised in Queens, Roker started his career as a weather anchor in Syracuse before beginning his time on NBC's TODAY where he has worked for nearly 30 years. He has received numerous accolades, including 14 Emmy Awards. Roker is at the forefront of crafting television programs, social media and digital content, and entertainment that captivates audiences around the world as the CEO and founder of Al Roker Entertainment. As a bestselling author, Roker has published books with topics ranging from fatherhood and family to cookbooks and murder mysteries.

The Key to the City of New York was first awarded in 1702 by New York City Mayor Phillip French, when he offered "Freedom of the City" to Viscount Edward Cornbury, governor of New York and New Jersey. By the mid-1800s, it became customary to award the Key to the City of New York as a direct symbol of the city's wish that a guest feel free to come and go at will. Today, the Key to the City of New York is a beloved symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement.