Checkey Beckford is an Emmy® Award-winning reporter for NBC 4 New York. She covers breaking news and general assignment stories, appearing weekdays at 5 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM.
Beckford’s reporting was a key component of NBC 4 New York’s award-winning COVID-19 coverage, honored in January, 2021 with the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for “creat(ing) a 360 view in real time of the coronavirus pandemic, with courageous and thorough reporting on the virus’s explosion in New York City.” The duPont has long been recognized as the broadcast, documentary and on-line equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, also awarded by Columbia University.
Her commitment to journalistic excellence has been recognized with two New York Emmys® for her coverage of the 2017 Tribeca terrorist attacks. She was also presented with ESSENCE Magazine’s “Essential Heroes Award,” recognizing her coverage of 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak.
Throughout her time at NBC 4, Beckford has covered many of the region’s most memorable news stories. In addition to the Tribeca attacks, Beckford provided breaking news coverage of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, New York City’s Ebola scare in 2014, the deadly Metro-North crash in Valhalla in 2015, the twin murders of NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos in 2015.
Checkey Beckford joined NBC 4 New York as a general assignment reporter in October 2012 from KOVR CBS13 in Sacramento, CA where she served as a live reporter for dayside newscasts. She began her career at WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she was hired as an associate producer. Here, Beckford was promoted twice in one year to weekend morning producer and then weekday morning producer.
Prior to joining KOVR CBS13, Beckford was a live reporter for WICD/WICS in Champaign/Springfield, IL where she shot, wrote and edited multiple stories for the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. newscasts.
Beckford grew up in Westchester County after emigrating from Jamaica when she was five. She attended Florida Atlantic University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Communications with Minors in Political Science and Sociology.
In her spare time, Beckford enjoys mentoring teenagers who aspire to go to college and begin careers in journalism. She resides with her family in New Jersey.
The Latest
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Luxury NJ sailboat thief dies in police shootout on Rhode Island, officials say
The owner of the stolen boat told NBC New York that the alleged thief was not very wise in choosing the vessel: It stands out due to its rarity.
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NJ restaurant apologizes for ‘unfortunate' birthday message on woman's dessert
A woman who has used a wheelchair since she was 2 says a birthday celebration with friends and family took a disturbing turn when their Hudson waterfront restaurant in New Jersey dropped off dessert. Antonia Sinibaldi was celebrating her 29th birthday at Blu on the Hudson in Weehawken when she says she and her cousin ordered the same apple cinnamon…
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‘A light went out': NYPD officer mourned after post-surgery death in Dominican Republic
Friends say Rebecca De Paula was a guiding light in her community, as she not only served the NYPD, but also as a pastor at a local church.
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10-year-old boy drowns in New Jersey river, sister lives, and another child is missing
The search for a 10-year-old girl missing in the Passaic River after ending up in the water with two other kids continues Thursday, hours after another 10-year-old’s body was found 50 feet from where he went in.
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Boy found dead, girl still missing as crews search Passaic River, mayor says
A young boy was found dead and crews were searching for a missing girl after they were swept away in the Passaic River, according to a local mayor. Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said three children were in the water Wednesday evening at the Dundee Island Park boat launch, but an 11-year-old girl was able to get out safely. Crews searched…
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Photojournalist hit by car outside Delaney Hall in Newark
The Delaney Hall immigration facility in Newark saw fresh tension Friday night after protesters confronted cars leaving the facility. There were also physical clashes with police, and a photojournalist was hit by a car amid the chaos. Video recorded by a freelance videographer showed the chaotic scenes in front of the center. In one video, protesters are seen physically putting…
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WNBC crew removed from news vehicle as state police tear gases Delaney Hall protesters
News 4’s Checkey Beckford and her photojournalists were ordered out of their marked news vehicle during a class between New Jersey State Police and Delaney Hall protesters.
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2 victims identified after suspected drunk driver plowed into Upper West Side sidewalk
Elvin Suarez, 61, is suspected of driving drunk when he lost control of his Mercedes-Benz SUV and struck multiple people on the sidewalk near West 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
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2 dead, 3 hurt after drunk driver plows into men on sidewalk in Manhattan: Sources
Two people were killed after an out-of-control drunk driver hopped a curb and slammed into men sitting outside a barbershop in Morningside Heights, according to law enforcement sources. Police received a call around 6 p.m. of a driver who lost control of their vehicle and hit multiple people on the sidewalk near the intersection of West 109th Street and Amsterdam…
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Beloved NJ hot dog spot may have to close to make room for a Whole Foods
Journal Square hot spot Boulevard Drinks has been slinging hot dogs to customers for nearly 90 years. But the manager said the building’s new owner told them they have to 30 days to find a new place to call home, because a new development featuring a Whole Foods is looking to take its place.
