Image source: NABJ
American journalist and author, Byron Pitts has had his own struggles with dyslexia. From Baltimore, Maryland, Pitts grew up in a working class neighborhood raised by a single mother. In school, his dyslexia was undiagnosed, making him feel stupid and excluded. At age 10 he was diagnosed as functionally illiterate, and didn’t learn to read until age 12. However, he always knew he wanted to be a journalist, specifically as a correspondent for the show 60 minutes. Now, he has worked for CBS News, 60 Minutes, and is currently a reporter for ABC News.
In 1982, Pitts graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and speech communication from Ohio Wesleyan University. Now, he is considered a lead reporter of his time. During the 9/11 terrorists attack on the World Trade Center, Pitts was reporting for CBS news and later won an Emmy for his reporting on this event. He also wrote a memoir about his life journey from being illiterate to a successful journalist; titled Step Out of Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges, Pitts talks about his struggles with dyslexia, a speech impediment, and other life challenges.
For more information on Byron Pitts and his life, listen to this NPR podcast.