Damon Young (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Damon Young
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| Born | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer, editor |
| Language | English |
| Education | Canisius College |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Literary movement | Black |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Notable works | What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker |
| Children | 2 |
Damon Young, born on December 30, 1978, is an American writer and editor. He helped start a popular website called Very Smart Brothas. In 2019, he released his first book, What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker, with HarperCollins.
Contents
Early Life and School
Damon Young was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up mostly in East Liberty. As a teenager, he lived in Penn Hills. There, he played basketball for Penn Hills High School. He was good enough to get a basketball scholarship. He went to Canisius College and studied English. He graduated in 2002.
Writing Career
Starting Very Smart Brothas
In 2008, Young helped create a website called Very Smart Brothas (VSB). He started it with D. Marcellus Wright, also known as Panama Jackson. The website shared essays about pop culture, politics, and funny stories. It was written for an African-American audience.
In 2016, a company called Gizmodo Media Group bought VSB. Now, it is part of another website called The Root.
Newspaper and Magazine Work
Damon Young also writes for big magazines and newspapers. He is a columnist for GQ magazine. He also writes opinion pieces for The New York Times. In January 2022, he started writing a weekly column for The Washington Post.
His First Book
In 2016, Young signed a deal to publish two books with HarperCollins. His first book, What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays, came out in March 2019.
The book is a collection of personal stories. It talks about important topics like race, gender, and what it means to be Black. Many people liked the book.
- Publishers Weekly said Young's writing was charming and witty. They called his essays a "pleasure to read."
- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said the book was a deep look into his life. It also showed how Black people deal with racism.
- The Star Tribune noted that readers who knew Young's blog would recognize his voice. They mentioned his love for lists and his smart pop culture references.
In 2020, the book won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.
Awards and Recognition
In 2017, Ebony magazine put Damon Young on its Power 100 list. This list celebrates important and influential people.
Personal Life
Damon Young is married. He has a daughter and a son. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Books by Damon Young
- Your Degrees Won’t Keep You Warm At Night (2011)
- What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker (2019)
