There’s more to KPRC 2 New Anchor Keith Garvin than meets the eye. On any given weekday evening, he’s the brother delivering the news Walter Cronkite style—straight, no chaser and with even less personal opinion.
But if you take his purposefully flatline read of current events during 5 and 6 p.m. broadcasts as the measure of the man, you’d be “gladly” mistaken.
In person, it’s easy to see the strong safety and outside linebacker Garvin was for the University of Nevada in the late 80s / early 90s. He looks like he can still put on the pads. But what’s not readily apparent is the depth, seriousness and downright joy he carries with him to each moment. Thankfully, Garvin willingly shared all that in conversation with the Defender.
Faith
Beyond the Murrow, Emmy and AP awards Garvin has earned over his 32 years as a journalist; his breadth of assignments alone is amazing.
From traveling with U.S. presidents to reporting on local happenings, Garvin has seen it all – peak athletic bodies in motion covering multiple Summer Olympics and four Astros World Series, and bodies that will never move again, killed on battlefields in Iraq, Afghanistan and Rwanda.
Even with that impressive resume, just about any question directed toward Garvin elicits an answer that begins with a profession of faith.
“My faith in my savior Jesus is the most important thing in my life, and then, of course, being a husband and a father,” said Garvin. “But I am also a journalist.
“My faith really helps me to do my best to be honest in each and every single day, and not shade a story, not give my opinion and just really try to be honest.”
Before becoming on-air talent, Garvin stepped out on faith and left his longtime off-camera career. His first reporter assignment took place in the early 2000s in Fresno, CA, and he hasn’t looked back since.
As he and his family (wife Lisa and four daughters) grew and traveled across the country to different jobs, Garvin has taken his faith with him. To that end, Garvin’s faith walk has led him to be a mentor and inspiration to many, whether on the job or not.
“When I was out reporting on the streets, just about every single day, I would run into a lot of young people, and a lot of older African-Americans who expressed to me, ‘We’re so proud of you. Thank you for what you do.’ And I’m just always humbled. So, I understand that there is a responsibility to represent.”
Garvin’s representation inspires strangers and friends alike.
“Keith makes being a great husband, father, friend, co-worker and Christian look easy. He shows up as the same solid man in every role. Watching him do that helps me be better in mine.”
– Ash Garner, Garvin’s close friend and barber
“Keith makes being a great husband, father, friend, co-worker and Christian look easy,” said Ash Garner, Garvin’s close friend and barber. “He shows up as the same solid man in every role. Watching him do that helps me be better in mine.”
“I’m so honored and every day humbled to be the evening anchor at KPRC in Houston, the fourth largest city in the country, sixth largest market,” said Garvin. “So, I take that responsibility very seriously.”
Fairness
Garvin’s faith keeps him hell-bent on presenting a fair and unbiased news read.
“When it comes to politics, especially in this world today where we are so politically polarized, especially during the elections, I go in every day and say, ‘Whatever story I get, I’m going to make it as boring as possible,’” Garvin shared. “My job is to make the story today boring because I’m not trying to get on this side or that side. I’m doing my best to be objective and walk down the middle of the road. And I believe my faith helps me in that a lot.”
Gavin also credits his life experiences, from growing up in the small town of Bryan, TX, to having a career that has allowed him to see the world, literally.
“So, in 32 years now of being a journalist, I think I have a decent understanding of other perspectives,” he said. “I know that when we are reporting the news in this very international city, you want to be truthful, honest and objective, [knowing] that there are different perspectives who are watching you.”
Watching Garvin in what appears to be the career he was born for, it’s hard to fathom that he initially had other professional aspirations—filmmaking, as a screenwriter and director. But his college days redirected his focus.
“When I got to the University of Nevada and journalism was the closest thing [to film] that they had as a major, I said, okay, I’ll go ahead and get my degree in journalism and then I’ll move to LA and I’ll become a waiter,” Garvin recalled. “Then maybe one day I’ll trip over Steven Spielberg or spill something on Spike Lee, but that’ll be my big chance.
“But when I started taking those journalism classes, I realized that I had a love for journalism.”
It’s a love Garvin said began as a 5-year-old watching 60 Minutes with his grandmother.
Family
But at the end of the day, with Garvin, home is definitely where the heart is.
Garvin’s faith fuels the zealous seriousness with which he takes his roles as husband and father. When asked which legacy he is most focused on enhancing (family man, media professional or community advocate), his faith, again, did the talking.
“Believing that the Word of God is the truth, that leads me to be a good husband. And that should lead me to be a good father and then to be a good employee who shows up on time, is responsible, someone whom my bosses and fellow employees believe they can count on,” stated Garvin. “Faith leads all of those things.
“But I have to say family. The family legacy is just so very important.”
That’s the message Garvin preaches most often.
“I just really, really want to impress on young men, young brothers out there that having a family is a beautiful, amazing blessing. That’s the legacy that you want to grow and build.”
Garvin’s family focus is not lost on his wife.
“Keith is a loving and devoted husband and father,” said Lisa. “He is a strong leader and fierce protector of myself and our four girls. And at the same time, he is sweet and kind.”
Lisa said her husband is also an adventurous and funny extrovert. But faith remained foundational.
“Faith is the core of who Keith is; how he views the world; how he treats others. Everything He does is for the glory of the Lord.”
