(Chicago) Talk show host and Wabash College graduate, Garrard McClendon (’88), won a Chicago 
Emmy at the 53rd Annual Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards hosted by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. His Emmy was in the category for “Outstanding Achievement for Interview/Discussion Programming, awarded to a producer/host/reporter. McClendon and producer, Allison Hunter, won for their program, “The Challenge of Raising African American Boys” airing on WYCC. He currently teaches at Chicago State University.
This year’s event was at the Alhambra Palace, the Moroccan-themed venue and dining space at 1240 W. Randolph.
It was in January when McClendon launched his new show “Off 63rd,” debuting live on Chicago’s PBS affiliateWYCC TV-20. The 30-minute show, focusing on public affairs and featuring guests from the worlds of politics, pop culture, current affairs and education, aired on Thursdays
McClendon, a resident of Chicago’s South Side, also recently earned a Ph.D. in education from Loyola University.
His parents, Ruby and Milton McClendon of Hammond, were murdered in 2009 and two teens were arrested and charged with the crimes before pleading guilty in October 2010.
Late last year, Garrard and brothers, Theodore and Duane, announced the establishment of The Milton and Ruby McClendon Education Fund to provide educational materials to schools in Hammond.
McClendon has hosted “Garrard McClendon Live” on CLTV, The McClendon Report on WVON-1690 AM, and commentary for WTTW-Channel 11’s Chicago Tonight.
McClendon is also the author of the book, “Ax or Ask?: The African-American Guide to Better English.”
Press release from
WYCC PBS Chicago
Photo from Wabash files
