Norris has interviewed American presidents, world leaders, Oscar winners and even astronauts traveling in outer space. In her recent memoir, “The Grace of Silence,” she uses her investigative skills to uncover family secrets that raise questions about her racial legacy and shed new light on America’s complicated racial history.

COLUMBUS OHIO -- Award-winning journalist Michele Norris, co-host of “All Things Considered,” the afternoon public affairs show on National Public Radio, will speak at the McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 W. Dublin-Granville Road, on Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m.

Norris has interviewed American presidents, world leaders, Oscar winners and even astronauts traveling in outer space. In her recent memoir, “The Grace of Silence,” she uses her investigative skills to uncover family secrets that raise questions about her racial legacy and shed new light on America’s complicated racial history.

“The Grace of Silence” started out as a quest to uncover how America talked about race in the wake of President Obama’s election. Named one of the best books of the year in 2010 by The Christian Science Monitor, the book became a family history lesson for Norris. The book has also led to the spinoff blog, “The Race Card Project,” which takes a deeper look at society’s attitudes and beliefs about race.

Before joining NPR in 2002, Norris spent almost 10 years as a reporter for ABC News in the Washington Bureau. She has also worked as a staff writer for the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.

Norris has received numerous awards. In 2009, she was named “Journalist of the Year” by the National Association of Black Journalists. NABJ recognized Norris her for her body of work.

In addition to her coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign, when she co-hosted NPR’s Democratic presidential candidates debate, anchored multi-hour election and inauguration live broadcasts and moderated a series of candid conversations with voters on the intersection of race and politics. That series earned Norris and “Morning Edition” host Steve Inskeep an Alfred I. Dupont-Columbia University Award for excellence in broadcasting.

Norris was named one of Essence Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Black Americans in 2009. That same year, she was named to Ebony Magazine’s Power 150 list. She also received Ebony’s Outstanding Women in Marketing & Communications Award in 2007.

Norris lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband Broderick Johnson, an attorney, with their two young children and an adult stepson. Norris recently took a leave of absence from her position with “All Things Considered” while her husband works on President Obama’s reelection campaign.

For tickets and more information about Norris’ appearance at the McCoy Arts Center, visit Mccoycenter.org or call (614) 245-4705.