The winner of 11 Emmy Awards, Porterfield began his broadcasting career in 1955 as a jazz disc jockey with WKNX-AM in Saginaw, Michigan, later becoming its cameraman and stagehand at WKNX-TV. Porterfield joined the CBS station in 1964 as a news writer and later rose to news anchor. He is an active jazz violinist and narrator at concert performances.
According to Jennifer Graves, Vice President and News Director, ABC 7, "Harry Porterfield's signature "Someone You Should Know" profiles have illuminated the many important and diverse stories in our city that needed to be told. After years of award winning journalism, Harry has become "Someone Everyone Knows" in Chicago. We are thrilled that NABJ has recognized Harry and his extraordinary career with their Lifetime Achievement Award."
"Harry is a Chicago broadcast icon and a master storyteller," said NABJ Vice President of Broadcast Kathy Times. "Generations of Chicagoans have a better vision of their community thanks to decades of his special reports. What better place to honor him than among the people who love him best."
