Charles Blow

EXCLUSIVE
  • Op-Ed Columnist, The New York Times & MSNBC Analyst
  • NYT Bestselling Author, 'Fire Shut Up in My Bones'
  • Author of 'The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto'
  • Advocate for Social Justice, Income Equality, & Racial Equity

Columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and MSNBC Analyst 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, 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. 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, Blow is also an in-demand speaker and gifted moderator. 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, 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:
  • Dalton State College
  • Larchmont Mamaroneck Human Rights Committee
  • New York State Office of Victim Services
  • Chicago Humanities Festival
  • Metropolitan College of New York
  • 92Y
  • Austin African American Book Festival
  • University of Idaho
  • The Ford Foundation
  • Wake Forest University
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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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, 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. 

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. Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nuance, ...

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. Blow fearlessly tackles today’s most pressing issues with depth, nuance, and tremendous insight, blending personal anecdotes with profound takeaways.

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Charles Blow gave a riveting talk at the Ford Foundation and received an incredible review

Columnist, commentator, and New York Times bestselling author CHARLES BLOW joined The Ford Foundation for an event focused on how the media covers elections and received an incredible rave review. Heralded for his fearless, forward-thinking coverage of American politics and society, Blow was a perfect choice for the engagement, garnering the following glowing praise from the host:

“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. For now, I hope this email can suffice.”

Watch Charles Blow on CBS Sunday Morning >>

Watch Charles Blow on MSNBC >>

Charles M. Blow’s NYT opinion column is about national politics, public opinion, and social justice

MSNBC Analyst CHARLES BLOW is an opinion columnist for The New York Times, writing about national politics, public opinion, and social justice, with a focus on racial equality and L.G.B.T.Q. rights.

Blow reflects on lessons from his own life as queer man who grew up poor in rural Louisiana and historical corollaries to contextualize our present-day politics.

Read Charles M. Blow’s New York Times Opinion Column >>

Charles Blow addresses one of the most pressing questions of our time on OWN’s Where Do We Go From Here? A Conversation led by Oprah

Op-Ed columnist at The New York Times and MSNBC Analyst, CHARLES BLOW participated in a recent discussion on OWN’s Where Do We Go From Here? A Conversation led by Oprah, addressing the current climate America. His work throughout the years has been purposeful, focusing on the progress and promise of a people. Blow’s recent columns in the Times, include Allies, Don’t Fail Us AgainNo More Lynching!, and Destructive Power of Despair all looks to make sense of the times, offer solutions, and call all people of good will forward to move us closer to our vision of a more perfect union.  When he speaks on any subject, people are simply moved, "Charles was amazing… he wooed the crowd through his visionary speech." (Dalton State College) “ His presentation exceeded ALL of our expectations.” (New York State Office of Victim Services) "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." (Larchmont Mamaroneck Human Rights Committee).

Just weeks before the civil unrest in response to George Floyd’s murder, Blow appeared on the Tamron Hall Show, to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on people of color.  He was also sought-out for multiple virtual engagements including the New York Times new virtual chat series, in which he discussed the coronavirus' disproportionate effect on vulnerable communities; as a moderator for a virtual town hall at Gambler State University; and as a correspondent for Diddy's virtual town hall "State of Emergency: The State of Black America and the Coronavirus." Let’s close with how we opened. With all that’s going on in the world, where do we go from here?

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Books by Charles Blow
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Biography

Charles M. Blow’s columns in The New York Times, tackle hot-button issues such as social justice, racial equality, LGBTQ issues and national politics. Blow is an MSNBC political analyst and has been the anchor of PRIME with Charles Blow on the Black News Channel and a CNN commentator. 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, the first by a Black composer to premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. “The Devil…” has been developed into a feature-length documentary that will air later this year on HBO.