NABJ Mourns the Loss of Member and Chief Meteorologist for ABC 24 News, Mark Walden

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2013) –The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the loss of Mark Walden, chief meteorologist for ABC 24 News in Memphis.

Walden joined ABC 24 in 1999. He was highly respected among his colleagues as a gifted meteorologist with a passion for weather, and keeping the Memphis community safe and informed. He also proudly served with numerous charitable organizations.

As founder of The Giving Experiment, Walden made sure that roughly 20 percent of his profits from his various entrepreneurial endeavors went to a different charity every month. The most recent beneficiaries include March of Dimes, Juvenile Intervention and Faith-Based Follow-Up, and Memphis Union Mission.

Ardyth Dierks, Vice President and General Manager at ABC 24, released the following statement: "Our ABC 24 family is deeply saddened by the passing of chief meteorologist Mark Walden.  He was highly respected among his colleagues and served this community as a gifted meteorologist and through his generous work with local charities. He touched our lives and will be greatly missed.”

Walden worked as a meteorologist for WEHT in Evansville, Ind., before joining ABC 24. He graduated from Florida State University in 1997 with a B.S. in meteorology.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, stepdaughter and son.

NABJ offers its sincerest condolences to Mr. Walden’s family, as well as his many colleagues and friends.

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.                                                                       

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