Journalist Gil Noble, the host of the public affairs program Like It Is, has died after a long illness. He was 80 years old.

Noble was a nationally recognized journalist whose work has been a part of the struggle of African-Americans for advancement, writes WABC-TV. He received more than 650 community awards, numerous industry awards, including seven Emmys and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, and five honorary doctorates.

"Gil Noble's life and work had a profound effect on our society and culture," WABC-TV President and General Manager Dave Davis said in a statement. "His contributions are a part of history and will be remembered for years to come. Today, our hearts are with Gil's family — his wife Jean and their five children — and we thank them for so lovingly sharing him with the world all these years."
Noble was born in Harlem on Feb. 22, 1932, and maintained close ties to the community throughout his life. He joined WABC-TV as a reporter in July 1967, and was named anchor of the station's Saturday and Sunday night newscasts in January 1968. Later that year, he became host of Like It Is.

On the show, Noble provided deep analysis into public affairs pertinent to the African-American community, including politics, music and culture. He interviewed many prominent Black leaders such as Louis Farrakhan and Rev. Jesse Jackson as well as entertainers like Bill Cosby and athletes such as Muhammad Ali. He also produced documentaries on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, among others.

Noble’s career came to an end after he suffered a devastating stroke in July 2011.
 
The family will announce plans for a funeral service when arrangements are confirmed. They have asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gil Noble Archives, P.O. Box 43138, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043. Proceeds will be used to preserve the archives so that Noble's mission of educating the community about its culture and history will continue.

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