Charles Blow

EXCLUSIVE
  • Journalist, Cultural Critic, and Political Commentator
  • Host, Ford Foundation's "Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow"
  • Former Op-Ed Columnist, The New York Times & MSNBC Analyst
  • NYT Bestselling Author, 'Fire Shut Up in My Bones' & 'The Devil You Know'

Columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and political commentator Charles Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nuance, and tremendous insight. Now an Op-Ed columnist at The New York Times, Mr. Blow previously served as the paper’s Graphics Director, leading The Times to significant awards. He has also worked as the Art Director of National Geographic Magazine and for The Detroit News. Blow is the New York Times bestselling author of Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which won a Lambda Literary Award, the Sperber Prize, and appeared on numerous “best of” lists. A memoir, the book was called “searing and unforgettable” by People Magazine and was adapted into a critically-acclaimed opera with a groundbreaking run at The Metropolitan Opera – the first performance of an opera there by a Black composer. His second book, The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto, draws on both his personal experience and observations of society to call for an end to systemic racism. He is also a contributor to the Encyclopedia Brittanica. Blow is a prolific and insightful commentator on politics, public opinion, and social justice, often challenging those in power with clarity and candor.

Heralded for his forward-thinking coverage of American politics and society, as well as his skill in graphic design to create powerful narratives with compelling visuals, Mr. Blow is also an in-demand speaker and gifted moderator. He is a consultant for the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward, a half-billion-dollar philanthropic effort to help maintain and restore local news. Mr. Blow hosts “Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow,” a lecture series at the Ford Foundation, and he is a consultant for the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward, a half-billion-dollar philanthropic effort to help maintain and restore local news. He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, SalonTV, CBS News, and regularly as an analyst on MSNBC, and has been featured in The Washington Post, The Ringer, Oprah Daily, and more about his highly acclaimed work. An advocate for social justice and racial equity, Mr. Blow speaks about income inequality, xenophobia, and mental health, generating impactful conversations that resonate with audiences of all kinds.

 


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Past Hosts Include:
  • Wake Forest University
  • The Ford Foundation
  • University of Idaho
  • Austin African American Book Festival
  • 92Y
  • Metropolitan College of New York
  • Chicago Humanities Festival
  • New York State Office of Victim Services
  • Larchmont Mamaroneck Human Rights Committee
  • Dalton State College
Rave Reviews About Charles Blow
Charles Blow was amazing and delivered an informative and compelling opening address to our audience. Long after his morning session ended, we heard our collective of attendees singing his praises. He delivered his address with regal authority and shared information on voting suppression and election coverage and data with a rich clarity that everyone could understand. He was a master at tailoring his speech and panel questions precisely to fit the topic we were addressing. I have to say, too, that as the coordinator, Charles was such a pleasure to work with. He was friendly, kind and warm to the staff and audience members. After his session ended, he greeted nearly every audience member that came up to say hello and treated them with a special dignity and grace. In addition, he showed up early and ready - which helped to put our staff at ease and win their confidence. If I knew how to say thank you in every language I would.

Charles Blow on Black Masculinity - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Charles Blow
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Community Empowerment: Tomorrow’s Collective History

In this powerful and thought-provoking speech, CHARLES BLOW addresses the critical role that community empowerment plays in shaping the future. This speech inspires hope for tomorrow’s collective history, reminding us that lasting change is not only possible but is already unfolding through the effo ...

In this powerful and thought-provoking speech, CHARLES BLOW addresses the critical role that community empowerment plays in shaping the future. This speech inspires hope for tomorrow’s collective history, reminding us that lasting change is not only possible but is already unfolding through the efforts of everyday people.

With an emphasis on the importance of local activism, collective action, and grassroots movements, Mr. Blow explores how individuals can work together to dismantle systemic barriers and create lasting social change.

Working Together: Building a Better Future

In this dynamic and enlightening speech, CHARLES BLOW challenges audiences to actively shape their communities by being informed, involved, and intentional in their actions. This speech empowers listeners to embrace their collective care with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency, underscoring the ...

In this dynamic and enlightening speech, CHARLES BLOW challenges audiences to actively shape their communities by being informed, involved, and intentional in their actions. This speech empowers listeners to embrace their collective care with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency, underscoring the idea that community is not just a concept—it’s a lived experience that we all shape together.

Mr. Blow emphasizes that building a better future requires everyone to contribute their skills, resources, and voices.

Mental Health: Facing Adversity and Finding Peace

Columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and MSNBC Analyst CHARLES BLOW shares with poignant vulnerability his experiences with grief and depression, speaking to a universal need to speak openly about mental health issues. Mr. Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nua ...

Columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and MSNBC Analyst CHARLES BLOW shares with poignant vulnerability his experiences with grief and depression, speaking to a universal need to speak openly about mental health issues. Mr. Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nuance, and tremendous insight, blending personal anecdotes with profound takeaways.

Today's Social and Political Issues

As a New York Times columnist known for his fearless brand of political and social commentary, CHARLES BLOW has become a familiar face on TV and a frequent target for conservative critics. His column typically features charts, but it's mainly his words, written and spoken, that continue to spark con ...

As a New York Times columnist known for his fearless brand of political and social commentary, CHARLES BLOW has become a familiar face on TV and a frequent target for conservative critics. His column typically features charts, but it's mainly his words, written and spoken, that continue to spark conversation and debate about social and political issues of the day. As a speaker, Mr. Blow fearlessly tackles contentious issues, such as racism, childhood obesity, life in large cities, acceptance of gays in society, and the current administration. Blow has recently spoken on topics such as: income inequality, xenophobia, teen pregnancy, education and the relationship between journalism and justice. 

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Charles Blow (literally) sees the bigger picture

Most know CHARLES BLOW for his work as a columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and MSNBC Analyst. However, he initially joined the NYT staff as a graphics editor, leading the publication to win “Best of Show” from the Society of News Design for its information graphics coverage of 9/11 and the Iraq war. His visual op-ed column covered hot-button issues such as teen pregnancy, the presidential race, gender roles, and the gay rights movement. 

Book Mr. Blow today to learn how to conceptualize the bigger picture when discussing complex, population-scale issues.

Watch Charles Blow speak at the Metropolitan College of New York >>  

Book Talks with Charles Blow

A book talk with renowned analyst and New York Times bestselling author CHARLES BLOW offers your organization a powerful opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions which foster a deeper understanding of current societal issues.

In The Devil You Know, Blow offers a succinct, counterintuitive, and impassioned corrective to the myths that have for too long governed our thinking about race and geography in America. 

In Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Blow shares his path to becoming one of America’s most innovative and respected public figures is a stirring, redemptive journey that works its way into the deepest chambers of the heart.

Reach out for information on book buys and signings today!

Watch Charles Blow speak at the Harris County Public Health Center >>

Charles Blow receives rave reviews for his live engagements

Columnist, commentator, and New York Times bestselling author CHARLES BLOW is heralded for his fearless, forward-thinking coverage of American politics and society:

  • The Carpenter Center: "We have received more positive feedback for this presentation that for any other speaker we've ever hosted here. Charles was an absolute delight to work with and I think he charmed every one of our VIPs in the pre-show meet and greet with his gracious attention to each one of them."
  • Larchmont Mamaroneck Human Rights Committee: "Charles Blow's presentation was informative, important, and inspiring. it was even better than expected, which is saying a lot! He was personally gracious and witty."
  • The Ford Foundation: "Charles Blow was amazing. Long after his morning session ended, we heard our collective of attendees singing his praises... In addition, he showed up early and ready - which helped to put our staff at ease and win their confidence. If I knew how to say thank you in every language I would."

Watch Charles Blow on CBS Sunday Morning >>

Watch Charles Blow on MSNBC >>

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Books by Charles Blow
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Biography

Charles M. Blow is an author, journalist, cultural critic and political commentator.

Mr. Blow was a longtime OpEd columnist at The New York Times, and he has been named Harvard University’s inaugural Langston Hughes Fellow.

He has been a political analyst on MSNBC, a contributor on CNN, and the anchor of PRIME with Charles Blow on the Black News Channel.

Mr. Blow hosts “Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow,” a lecture series at the Ford Foundation, and he is a consultant for the MacArthur Foundation and Press Forward, a half-billion-dollar philanthropic effort to help maintain and restore local news.

He is also a contributor to the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Mr. Blow is the author of New York Times bestselling books “Fire Shut Up in My Bones” and “The Devil You Know.” “Fire…” has been developed into an opera and will premiere at the Metropolitan Opera latter this year, the first opera by a black composer in the history of that institution. “The Devil…” has been developed into a feature-length documentary that will air on HBO.

In 2016, Mr. Blow was a Presidential Visiting Professor at Yale where he taught a seminar on media and politics, tracking the presidential race in real time.

Mr. Blow served as the art director of National Geographic Magazine in 2006, and before coming to The Times, he worked at The Detroit News.

Mr. Blow graduated magna cum laude from Grambling State University in Louisiana, where he received a B.A. in mass communications, and he holds honorary doctorates from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston and the Metropolitan College of New York. He lives in Atlanta and has three adult children.


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