But when my mother ran for City Council, that was the moment when I knew I wanted to be a political reporter. Some reporters asked her about being married to my father - they have an interracial relationship - as if that was somehow a negative thing.

Kristen Welker

Journalists like to talk and write and produce, but the most important part of that process is learning how to listen. And that's what makes you a good journalist.

Kristen Welker

I try to have a balanced diet. I try to write down everything that I eat.

Kristen Welker

My big challenge, I will say, is contouring. God help us all with contouring.

Kristen Welker

I was in sixth grade. I loved TV news. I acknowledge that I was also in awe of Barbara Walters interviewing Patrick Swayze and dancing with him.

Kristen Welker

I always have a pair of heels and flats for my back-to-back hours of live shots. I'm happiest and most comfortable wearing my boots.

Kristen Welker

If I'm going to the White House, my alarm goes off at 5:00 A. M. Typically there is no snoozing; jump out of bed, text my producer, often start texting with sources if there's breaking news that's happened overnight, and I'm off and running from that moment on.

Kristen Welker

You have to be essentially ready to interview the President every day that you walk in, at any moment.

Kristen Welker

But when my mother ran for City Council, that was the moment when I knew I wanted to be a political reporter. Some reporters asked her about being married to my father - they have an interracial relationship - as if that was somehow a negative thing.

Kristen Welker

I am not afraid to ask for feedback on my work or appearance, and try to never take that advice personally.

Kristen Welker

It's not unusual for me to find that I'm the only female journalist of color in the front row during some of the briefings.

Kristen Welker

I think it's incredibly important that we think about diversity in the context of the White House press corps, because it's important that the group of people there is representative of the diversity that we see throughout the country.

Kristen Welker

I typically set at least three alarms. I have two alarms set on my iPhone, I still use a Blackberry for work, so I set my alarm on that, and then if I'm staying in a hotel, I request a wake-up call. I've never overslept - knock on wood. But I have had an instance where one of my four alarms has failed, so that's why I stand by the multiple alarms.

Kristen Welker

I feel like I've grown up, not only at NBC, but also at 'Today.'

Kristen Welker

Why is it appropriate for the President to use a racial slur in any context?

Kristen Welker

I've recently explored the beauty of doing sit-ups on those endurance balls. It adds a whole new dimension of difficult.

Kristen Welker

Whether I'm traveling or not, I lay out my outfit and jewelry the night before so I don't have to think about it.

Kristen Welker

I got such a bad series of sinus infections while covering President Obama's 2012 reelection campaign, I lost my sense of smell!

Kristen Welker

Fashion is not my strongest suit.

Kristen Welker

Dresses that don't wrinkle are key. They don't take up a whole lot of space and you can throw four into a suitcase.

Kristen Welker

To have come here as an intern for the 'Today' show, to shoot that reel - I looked so serious. To be terrified like that and then to come and sit at this desk, to sit next to my friend Peter Alexander every Saturday, it is the honor of a lifetime.

Kristen Welker