Jackie Nespral
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Jackie Nespral (born 1968) is a Cuban-American television anchor for WTVJ-TV, the NBC Owned and Operated Station in Miramar, Florida.
In 1991, she became the first Hispanic to anchor a network news show in the United States when she co-anchored NBC's weekend edition of The Today Show
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[edit] Early years and education
Nespral attended St. Brendan High School and graduated in the Class of 1984.
Nespral began her entertainment and television career as a college student at the University of Miami, where she was elected Orange Bowl Queen in Miami in 1985 and 1986.
She graduated from the University of Miami with degrees in psychology and communications. She was inducted into the University of Miami's prestigious Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor awarded at the university. Following her graduation from the University of Miami, Nespral went on to to complete a degree in print and broadcast journalism at Miami's Florida International University.
[edit] Television career
[edit] Univision, Television Marti and CNN
Nespral began her career in television as a spokesmodel for "Sabado Gigante", a Univision gameshow. She then joined Univision's "TV Mujer" (or "TV Woman") on its final season. After the cancellation of TV Mujer, she was chosen as one of the anchors, in 1990, of Univision's national news show, "Noticias y Mas" ("News and More").
She also worked for the Cuban-American channel, Television Marti, and at CNN's Miami affiliate, Dynamic Cablevision.
[edit] The Today Show
Nespral moved to New York City in 1991, where, as weekend host of NBC's Today Show, she was the first Hispanic anchorwoman for an English newscast in the United States. She co-hosted the show with NPR's Scott Simon.
[edit] WTVJ-TV
In 1994, Nespral returned to Miami, where she was assigned as anchorwoman for WTVJ-TV, the NBC O&O station in Miramar, Florida. She currently co-anchors the 5pm, 6pm, and 11pm newscasts for the station.
[edit] Personal
Nespral is a board director member for the March of Dimes organization. She is also involved with the Columbia Women's Center, the Child Development Center and the Amigos for Kids organizations.
Nespral has earned an Emmy Award, an Easter Seals award and an honorable mention from the American Women in Radio and Television organization during her television news career.
She is married to Armando Nespral with whom she has three daughters (Carolina, Frances, and Isabelle) and one son (Armando, Jr.).
