Ta-Nehisi Coates grew up in Baltimore in the 1980s, at the height of the crack epidemic. Watching the devastation around them, Coates’ parents - his father a Black Panther and publisher of Black books, and his mother a teacher - instilled in their children the importance of books and education.
After spending years at Howard University, which he credits with “training [him] intellectually,” he dropped out to pursue writing.
Despite his lineage, Coates never considered himself an activist - just a Black man who wanted his people to be “conscious citizen[s] of this terrible and beautiful world.” He quickly climbed the ranks in journalism, writing for a number of publications, which allowed him to speak his truth.
Upon the publication of his epic 2014 essay - “The Case For Reparations” - that truth caught fire. Because of its impact, reparations re-entered the national consciousness. Presidential candidates are now expected to explain their stance on reparations, which was previously unthinkable.
In June 2019, the writer, college dropout, and reluctant activist found himself addressing Congress, in the first major session debating reparations in over a decade!
Will reparations happen in our lifetime? Only time will tell. But we definitely have the eloquent and prolific Ta-Nehisi Coates to thank for reigniting the conversation. Check out one of his many award-winning books to soak in his powerful words!