40 Facts About Ta-Nehisi Coates

Early Life and Family Background

Ta-Nehisi Coates's journey began in Baltimore, Maryland, where his upbringing played a crucial role in shaping his perspectives and career.

1. Birth and Early Life: Ta-Nehisi Coates was born on September 30, 1975, in Baltimore, Maryland, to William Paul Coates and Cheryl Lynn Coates (née Waters).

2. Family Background: His father, William Paul Coates, was a Vietnam War veteran and a former member of the Black Panther Party. He also founded and ran Black Classic Press, a publishing company specializing in African-American titles.

3. Mother’s Profession: Coates’s mother, Cheryl Lynn Coates, was a teacher. She played a significant role in instilling values of family and community in their children.

4. Name Origin: Coates’s first name, Ta-Nehisi, is derived from an Ancient Egyptian language name for Nubia, a region along the Nile River in present-day northern Sudan and southern Egypt.

5. Upbringing: Coates grew up in the Mondawmin neighborhood of Baltimore during the crack epidemic. He lived with his father for the entirety of his upbringing, where he was raised with values based on family, respect for elders, and being a contribution to the community.

Education and Early Career

Coates's educational journey and early career experiences laid the foundation for his future success as a writer and journalist.

6. Education: Coates attended Woodlawn High School in Baltimore and later enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he studied journalism for five years before leaving without completing his degree.

7. Early Career: After leaving Howard University, Coates began his career as a reporter for The Washington City Paper. He later worked for The Village Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, and Time.

Rise to National Attention

Coates's work began to gain national attention, particularly through his writings for The Atlantic.

8. National Attention: In 2008, Coates garnered national attention for his criticism of Bill Cosby and Black conservatism. His article, “This Is How We Lost to the White Man,” launched his career with The Atlantic.

9. Senior Editor at The Atlantic: Coates served as a senior editor at The Atlantic, where he published notable pieces such as “Fear of a Black President” in 2012 and “The Case for Reparations” in 2014.

10. Blog Recognition: Coates’s blog was featured on Time’s list of Best Blogs of 2011. His blog was also praised for its engaging comments section, which he curated and moderated heavily.

Awards and Recognition

Coates's work has earned him numerous awards and recognitions, solidifying his status as a leading voice in contemporary American discourse.

11. Awards and Recognition: Coates won the 2012 Hillman Prize for Opinion & Analysis Journalism from The Sidney Hillman Foundation for his work on The Atlantic.

12. Personal Life: In 2009, Coates lived in Harlem with his wife, Kenyatta Matthews, and their son, Samori Maceo-Paul Coates. The name Samori is a reference to three historical figures: Samori Ture, a Mandé chief who fought French colonialism; Antonio Maceo Grajales, a black Cuban revolutionary; and Coates’s father, Paul.

13. Residency in Paris: Coates lived in Paris for a residency, which further broadened his cultural and literary horizons.

14. Twitter Deactivation: In December 2017, Coates deactivated his Twitter account after a disagreement with philosopher and activist Cornel West over West’s editorial in The Guardian.

15. Controversy Over Jordan Peterson: In 2021, Coates caused controversy for his depiction of the Nazi super-villain Red Skull espousing the writings of Canadian conservative clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson in Captain America volume 9 #28.

Contributions to Literature and Comics

Coates's contributions to literature and comics have been significant, with his works resonating with a wide audience.

16. Comic Book Series: Coates enjoyed a successful run writing Marvel’s Black Panther (2016-2021) and Captain America (2018-2021) comic series.

17. Bestselling Books: Coates is the author of several bestselling books, including The Beautiful Struggle, Between the World and Me, and The Water Dancer. Between the World and Me won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2015.

18. MacArthur Fellowship: In 2015, Coates was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a "Genius Grant," for his contributions to literature and social commentary.

19. Teaching Career: From 2012 to 2014, Coates was the Martin Luther King visiting professor for writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2014, he joined the City University of New York as its journalist-in-residence.

20. Current Projects: Coates is currently working on a series for HBO called “America in the King Years,” which explores Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Coates's personal life and beliefs have influenced his work and public engagements.

21. Residence: Coates and his family moved to Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, New York, in 2001. They purchased a brownstone in Prospect Lefferts Gardens in 2016 but did not move in due to media attention.

22. Phi Beta Kappa Membership: In 2016, Coates was made a member of Phi Beta Kappa at Oregon State University.

23. Atheism and Feminism: Coates identifies as an atheist and a feminist. These beliefs are reflected in his writing and public engagements.

Influences and Contributions

Coates's influences and contributions extend beyond his writing, impacting social justice movements and public discourse.

24. Educational Influence: Coates’s exposure to books as a youth prompted him to gravitate toward a literary career. He started writing poetry at the age of 17.

25. Contributions to Periodicals: Coates has contributed to various periodicals, including The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Washington Monthly, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly.

26. Notable Essays: His essays have been particularly influential, such as “Obama and the Myth of the Black Messiah” (2008) and “Fear of a Black President” (2012), which earned him a National Magazine Award in 2013.

27. Reparations Debate: Coates’s 2014 Atlantic cover story “The Case for Reparations” reintroduced a dialogue in American politics and society on reparations for slavery. He testified before the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 on H.R. 40, a bill to study and develop proposals for reparations to African Americans.

28. PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award: In 2016, Coates was the recipient of the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay.

Published Works and Novels

Coates's published works and novels have garnered critical acclaim and widespread readership.

29. Memoir and Fiction Works: Coates published his first book, The Beautiful Struggle, in 2008, which explored his coming of age in West Baltimore. His second book, Between the World and Me, delves into contemporary issues facing the Black community, especially the American history of violence against African Americans.

30. Novel Release: In 2019, Coates released his first novel, The Water Dancer, which centers on an enslaved person with photographic memory who aids the Underground Railroad. The book earned widespread acclaim.

31. Marvel Comics Series: Coates wrote the Marvel superhero Black Panther comic series from 2016 to 2021 and began writing a Captain America comic book series in 2018.

Academic and Philosophical Influences

Coates's academic and philosophical influences have shaped his writing and public engagements.

32. Faculty Positions: In addition to his writing career, Coates has served on the faculty at several schools, notably joining Howard University in 2021.

33. Philosophical Influences: Coates’s work reflects influences from philosophers and activists like James Baldwin and Cornel West. His writing often engages with complex philosophical ideas in the context of African American experiences.

Public Engagement and Activism

Coates's public engagements and activism have made him a prominent voice in discussions about social justice and racial equality.

34. Public Engagement: Coates is known for his public engagements, including speaking at various events and participating in debates on social and political issues. He has been a prominent voice in discussions about racism, police brutality, and reparations.

35. Twitter Following: At the time of his Twitter deactivation, Coates had a following of over 1.25 million users.

36. Activism: Coates’s activism extends beyond his writing. He has been involved in various social justice movements, advocating for policies that address systemic racism and inequality.

Educational Philosophy and Community Values

Coates's educational philosophy and community values are central to his writing and public engagements.

37. Educational Philosophy: Coates believes in the importance of education in shaping individual perspectives and contributing to societal change. His own educational journey, though incomplete, has significantly influenced his career and worldview.

38. Community Values: The values instilled in him by his family, particularly the emphasis on community and respect for elders, are central to his writing and public engagement. These values reflect the close-knit community where he grew up in Baltimore.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Coates's cultural impact and legacy extend beyond his written works, influencing a new generation of writers and activists.

39. Cultural Impact: Coates’s work has had a significant cultural impact, influencing both literary and social discourse. His essays and books have been widely read and discussed, contributing to ongoing conversations about race, identity, and social justice.

40. Legacy: As an award-winning author and journalist, Ta-Nehisi Coates continues to shape the narrative around African American experiences and social justice issues. His legacy extends beyond his written works, influencing a new generation of writers and activists.

Ta-Nehisi Coates: A Voice That Resonates

Ta-Nehisi Coates has made a lasting impact on literature, journalism, and activism. His works, like Between the World and Me and The Case for Reparations, have sparked important conversations about race and social justice. Growing up in Baltimore, influenced by his father's activism and his mother's teaching, Coates developed a unique perspective that shines through his writing. His tenure at The Atlantic, his Marvel comic series, and his teaching roles highlight his versatility. Coates's commitment to addressing systemic racism and inequality continues to inspire many. Whether through his books, essays, or public engagements, Coates challenges readers to think deeply about the world around them. His legacy as a powerful storyteller and advocate for change is undeniable.