Mario Armstrong

Mario Armstrong is a two-time Emmy winning TV host, media personality, motivational speaker, public servant, and social entrepreneur. Armstrong’s mission in life is to better people’s lives by educating them on how to use technology to enhance their personal and professional lives. Armstrong translates technology for both the public and business audiences, as well as for tech enthusiasts and non-tech audiences alike, through his TV segments, public speaking, in print and online.

He appears regularly on TV and radio; Mario is the Digital and Technology Commentator for NBC’S Today Show, HLN, Fuse and CNN. In addition, Mario has appeared on the following shows: Dr. OzSteve HarveyRachael RayNate BerkusKatie Couric, and Inside Edition. On radio, Mario is a technology contributor for NPR’s Morning Edition and Tell Me More programs. Mario is also the host of the Emmy winning Never Settle Show, the world’s first crowd-produced, livestreamed talk show with live participation from the in-studio & online audience. His new daily podcast, entitled Wake Up and Level Up, kickstarts your day in under 5 minutes with a jolt of inspiration, advice and personal growth formulas and recently became a Top 200 podcast on the iTunes self-help charts.

Before his career as a media personality, Armstrong worked in the tech industry for more than twelve years and was the first Chief Technology Officer of Baltimore City for then Mayor, Martin O’Malley. Armstrong also served as IT Director for the State of Maryland’s Tourism Department. Additionally, Armstrong was one of six people chosen from the United States to be part of a Technology Delegation and meet with tech entrepreneurs in Seoul, South Korea, to discuss new international business partnerships.

Additionally, Mario is considered a social entrepreneur as he is super passionate about influencing, engaging and educating youth to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields, careers and entrepreneurship. Mario has experience working directly with teenagers to develop and design an online youth tech social network called TechTechBoom.com. This company morphs kids from passive users of cell phones and laptops into the next generation of digital scientists, innovators and activists by increasing their interest and knowledge in STEM. Armstrong was also a co-founder of the Urban Video Game Academy—an educational non-profit program that uses the allure, interactivity and development process of video games to increase students’ interest and academic achievement in STEM. The program was featured in USA Today, on CNN, and in Newsweek magazine. His voice is featured in a fun and educational video game entitled, “SpaceStation Sim,” developed by Vision Video games for NASA.

Mario covers the stories, headlines, business, issues, gadgets, technology companies, and the impact of technology on our lives. He helps parents deal with the difficulties of raising children who are more technologically savvy than the adults raising them. He entertains and educates audiences about how technology impacts our society and businesses.

Mario has been recognized as:

  • Emmy award winner for “Best TV show Host” – 2011
  • “Daily Record VIP List” Successful before 40
  • “The Root 100” – recognized in the top 100 people alongside actor Nick Cannon, Pro-Athlete LeBron James, Musician and Producer Wyclef John and Singer John Legend
  • “Top 40 under 40” Emerging Leaders – Baltimore Business Journal
  • “Modern-Day Technology Leader” – Career Communications Group
  • “Best Technology Guru” – City Paper, Best of Baltimore
  • “Best Cable TV Host” – Beacon Award Winner
  • One of Baltimore’s “Top 25 Young Rising Stars” – Baltimore Times
  • “Service Above Self Award” – Rotary Club of Maryland
  • “Technology Advocate of the Year” – Urban League
  • Hope for Today, Visions for Tomorrow award – Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland
  • Never Settle Show: Emmy® Award Winner for Best Interactivity (2018)
  • Emmy® Award Nominee for “Best Program Host” of Mario Armstrong’s Never Settle Show (2018)
  • Webby Award Honoree – SOCIAL: Experimental & Innovation (2018)
  • Never Settle Show: Award Nominee for Best Use Of Facebook Live – Digiday Publishing Awards (2018)
  • Never Settle Show: Winner: Best Live Show – International Academy of Web Television Awards (2017)