Malcolm Poindexter

Inducted 1999

Born:  April 3, 1925, Philadelphia, Pa.

Malcolm Poindexter, one of Philadelphia's most honored journalists, has marked more than thirty years on KYW-TV 3 and more than fifty years in journalism. 

In addition to KYW-3, Poindexter's years in journalism have included working as a reporter for the Philadelphia Tribune, and The Bulletin, as well as Jet and Ebony magazines, the Associated Negro Press, the London Daily Express, and KYW Newsradio.

Poindexter began his career with the Philadelphia Tribune and the Associated Negro Press in 1947 as a general assignment reporter and writer.  During his fifteen years with the Philadelphia Tribune, he served as a writer/photojournalist, columnist, sportswriter and editor, city editor, business manager, and comptroller.  In 1960, he joined the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin where his byline appeared frequently on the front page.

In 1965, when KYW Newsradio came to Philadelphia, Poindexter was one of the first reporters hired.  His five-part series on the plight of migrant workers in South Jersey, which he researched by becoming one of the workers, won the station its first honors-an Associated Press award and the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Community Service.

In 1967, Poindexter joined the KYW-3 news team.  In addition to reporting, he hosts the Channel 3 public affairs program Newsmakers, which airs within KYW's Sunday morning broadcast.  Between 1985 and 1990, during a special assignment as KYW's editorial spokesperson, Poindexter won four Philadelphia Emmy Awards.

In addition to his Emmys, Poindexter has received more than 300 community awards, including the City of Philadelphia's first award for leading a city-wide clean-up campaign (1981); the City of Philadelphia's William Penn Human Rights Award (1982); the United Negro College Fund's Community Service Award;  the first National Communications Award bestowed by the Elks (1971); and the Philadelphia Tribune's Achievement Award.

On June 30, 1980, People magazine feature Poindexter in an article titled "A Philadelphia Anchorman Fights To Change His Mean Streets."   The article chronicles Poindexter's move from an affluent section of Philadelphia to a poor, ethnically mixed neighborhood, where he provided leadership in efforts to help his community.

Poindexter serves on the boards of the Mann Music Center, Scleroderma Research Foundation, and Philadelphia Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.  He served as general manager of Opera Ebony/Philadelphia, which promotes minority talent in opera.  Poindexter is a popular speaker with community groups.