Byron Pitts

Byron Pitts was named co-anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline” and has covered national news stories and in-depth features for the network, reporting across the news division, including "Good Morning America," "World News Tonight with David Muir," “This Week,” and “20/20.” He has reported on major news events including the September 11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the Boston Marathon bombing, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Pitts is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist and news veteran with over 20 years of experience known for his thoughtful storytelling, on-the-ground reporting, and in-depth interviews. After joining ABC News, Pitts was quickly assigned to the live special coverage of the Boston marathon bombing investigation. His reporting spans significant events in Baltimore, Dallas, and Baton Rouge, La., during each city's recent riots and protests, and he co-anchored a special edition of “Nightline” from Los Angeles reflecting on the city 25 years after the riots following the Rodney King verdict.

Prior to his tenure at ABC News, Pitts spent 15 years at CBS News where he served as Chief National Correspondent for The CBS Evening News, contributed regularly to "60 Minutes," and made his first on-camera studio open for the CBS News broadcast "60 Minutes" in 2006. He won an Emmy for his coverage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and was named the National Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year in 2002. His books, “Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges” and “Be the One: Six True Stories of Teens Overcoming Hardship with Hope,” reflect his personal challenges and triumphs, including overcoming a debilitating stutter and functional illiteracy until the age of 12. Pitts graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982, where he studied journalism and speech communication, and he began his career at WNCT-TV in Greenville, N.C., covering local news and serving as weekend sports anchor. A native of Baltimore, Pitts currently lives in New York City and is known for his motivational public speaking, focusing on overcoming obstacles and achieving success through education and literacy.