Ta-Nehisi Coates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ta-Nehisi Coates
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Coates in 2015
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Ta-Nehisi Paul Coates
September 30, 1975 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
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| Education | Howard University |
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Notable work
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| Spouse(s) | Kenyatta Matthews |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Cheryl Lynn Coates (née Waters) William Paul Coates |
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Ta-Nehisi Paul Coates (born September 30, 1975) is an American author and journalist. He is well-known for his writings on culture, society, and politics. He often writes about the experiences of African Americans and issues related to white supremacy.
Coates became very popular during his time as a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine. In 2015, he received a special award called a MacArthur Fellowship. This award is given to talented people who show great originality and dedication in their work.
His books include The Beautiful Struggle (2008), Between the World and Me (2015), and The Water Dancer (2019). Between the World and Me won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction. He has also written comic book series for Marvel Comics, including Black Panther and Captain America.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Ta-Nehisi Coates was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, William Paul Coates, was a Vietnam War veteran and a former Black Panther. He also ran a publishing company called Black Classic Press. This company focused on books by and about African Americans. Coates's mother, Cheryl Lynn Coates, was a teacher.
His father's publishing work greatly influenced Coates. He often read the books his father published. His mother also encouraged his interest in writing by making him write essays when he misbehaved.
Coates went to several schools in Baltimore. He later attended Howard University for five years. He left college to start his career in journalism.
Career Highlights
Journalism Work
Coates started his journalism career at The Washington City Paper. From 2000 to 2007, he wrote for various magazines like Time and The Village Voice.
His career took off when he started writing for The Atlantic. His articles often explored topics like politics, history, and race. His writings on race, such as "Fear of a Black President" and "The Case for Reparations", were highly praised. "The Case for Reparations" discussed the history of unfair housing practices against African Americans.
Coates left The Atlantic in 2018 after working there for ten years. He wanted to take time to think about his future as a writer. He has also written for The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Famous Books
The Beautiful Struggle
In 2008, Coates published The Beautiful Struggle. This book is a memoir, which means it tells the story of his own life. It describes his childhood in West Baltimore and how it shaped him. He writes about his father's influence and his experiences in school. The book also touches on the challenges of growing up in his neighborhood.
Between the World and Me
Coates's second book, Between the World and Me, came out in 2015. He wrote it as a letter to his son, Samori. The book explores what it means to be Black in America. It discusses the history of slavery and how racism has affected African Americans. The book won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction. It was also a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.
Black Panther and Captain America Comics
In 2016, Coates started writing for Marvel Comics. He wrote the Black Panther series. In his stories, the hero T'Challa faces challenges to his rule in the fictional nation of Wakanda. Coates also wrote a spinoff series called Black Panther and the Crew. This series touched on issues like police killings.
Later, in 2018, Coates also wrote a series for Captain America.
We Were Eight Years in Power
In 2017, Coates released We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy. This book is a collection of essays he had written about the time when Barack Obama was president. Coates added new essays and an introduction to connect the pieces. The title comes from a quote by a 19th-century African-American congressman. Coates saw similarities between that historical period and the Obama presidency.
The Water Dancer
Coates's first novel, The Water Dancer, was published in 2019. It's a fantasy story set during the time of slavery. The main character, Hiram Walker, has a special memory and can transport people over long distances. The book was chosen for Oprah's Book Club.
The Message
Coates's most recent nonfiction book, The Message, was published in 2024. In this book, he shares his thoughts from visits to places like Dakar, Senegal, and the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He explores themes of human rights and equality in different parts of the world. The book is dedicated to his sons.
Teaching and Other Projects
Coates has taught at several universities. He was a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a journalist-in-residence at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. In 2017, he joined New York University as a Distinguished Writer in Residence. Since 2021, he has been a writer-in-residence at Howard University.
He is also involved in various film and TV projects. He is working on a TV series about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. He is also set to write the script for a new Superman movie.
Personal Life
Ta-Nehisi Coates lives with his wife, Kenyatta Matthews, and their son, Samori Maceo-Paul Coates. His son's name honors important historical figures. Coates met his wife when they were both students at Howard University. He is an atheist and a feminist.
Awards and Honors
- 2012: Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism
- 2013: National Magazine Award for Essays and Criticism
- 2014: George Polk Award for Commentary
- 2015: Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Prize for Writing to Advance Social Justice
- 2015: National Book Award for Nonfiction for Between the World and Me
- 2015: Fellow of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- 2015: Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction for Between the World and Me
- 2018: Dayton Literary Peace Prize in Nonfiction
- 2018: Eisner Award for Best Limited Series (for Black Panther: World of Wakanda)
- 2020: British Fantasy Society Sydney J. Bounds Award for The Water Dancer
See also
In Spanish: Ta-Nehisi Coates para niños
