About Melissa Noel

Melissa Noel is an award-winning freelance multimedia journalist in New York City. Noel's work focuses on telling stories that center on the issues impacting marginalized communities and the Caribbean Diaspora. Her commitment to bringing attention to underreported stories has earned her accolades such as a Global Media Award for excellence in reporting from the International Labour Organization, A Salute to Excellence Award from The National Association of Black Journalists, and a White House Correspondents' Association journalism award.

All Articles

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 11, 2012

Unarmed Chicago teen shot in head while standing on porch

CHICAGO – A 16-year-old boy was the youngest victim in a weekend of violence that left eight dead and 46 others injured in Chicago…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 11, 2012

KKK group aims to adopt highway for litter control

ATLANTA (AP) – A Ku Klux Klan group is attempting to join Georgia’s ‘Adopt-A-Highway’ program for litter removal, creating a quandary for state officials…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 7, 2012

High school senior denied diploma because family cheered too loudly at graduation

theGRIO REPORT – A Cincinnati, Ohio high school senior was denied his diploma, not for failing classes, but because his family cheered too loud at his graduation…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 7, 2012

Malcolm X's boyhood home, MLK's neighborhood named 'endangered'

theGRIO REPORT – The childhood home of civil rights leader Malcolm X and the neighborhood where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was born have been labeled ‘endangered’…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 6, 2012

Slideshow: Who should play Marvel's 'Black Panther'?

SLIDESHOW – The first black superhero in mainstream comics may soon have his own movie. A new film featuring the Marvel comics character Black Panther is said to be in the works
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 6, 2012

Baltimore's Kenyan American community blasts cannibalism connection

What may have led Morgan State University student, Alexander Kinyua, to admittedly dismember his roommate and eat some of his body parts?…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 6, 2012

Kanye West flips out on laser carrying fan

Don’t shine lasers in Kanye West’s face. You will be told off…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 5, 2012

Masseuse dies after collaspe at home of Miami Heat's Chris Bosh

MIAMI (AP) – A South Florida masseuse died at a hospital after collapsing at the Miami Beach home of injured Heat forward masseuse Chris Bosh…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 5, 2012

Former 'Hughleys' child star charged with murder

theGRIO REPORT – The actor who played little Michael Hughley on the sitcom The Hughleys has been charged with murder…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 5, 2012

Lauryn Hill supports Nicki Minaj's summer jam decision

The aftermath of Nicki Minaj’s absence at this year’s Summer Jam continues, but at least she has some support from Lauryn Hill…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 4, 2012

Rihanna snaps over Chris Brown questions during Esquire interview

theGRIO REPORT – When a reporter during a recent Esquire magazine interview brought up her tumultuous romance with Brown, she snapped…
Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.
June 4, 2012

Zombie attack prank goes viral

theGRIO REPORT – Video of a bloodied “zombie” attacking Miami residents has gone viral.