Tony Perkins, co-anchor of NBC News4 Today, is recognized as a prominent alumnus of Mount Vernon High School. He was the first Black editor-in-chief of the school’s student newspaper and discovered his voice during his time there.
In 2024, Educate Fairfax inducted Perkins into the FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame. Earlier this year, he shared insights with Mount Vernon senior Maverick about his experiences and career path.
Perkins recalls being shy in his early high school years but found public speaking transformative. “That opened me up,” he said, eventually leading him to co-host the senior variety show.
His journey took an unexpected turn when friends dared him to perform comedy at Garvin’s Comedy Club in Washington, D.C. Although his initial jokes were not remarkable, it sparked a nine-year professional comedy career. This path introduced him to DJ and BET host Donnie Simpson, leading to a role as producer and co-host on Simpson’s radio show.
Comedy also connected Perkins with a program director for channel 20, resulting in roles on TV news shows including Fox Morning News and Good Morning America.
Perkins describes current opportunities for students as “democratic,” noting that social media allows individuals to become experts in their interests. “That’s extraordinary,” he said, encouraging students to seize these opportunities.
He advises those pursuing similar paths to remain open to change. “Some opportunities might come down the road that you don’t necessarily think make sense,” he noted. Despite diverging from his original plan of becoming a standup comedian hosting The Tonight Show, Perkins finds his career rewarding.
“Listen to the universe, listen to your heart,” he advised students. “Time will go fast… Enjoy it. Take it seriously.”
