Melissa Harris-Perry is an American writer, professor, political commentator, and former television host known for her expertise in African-American politics. Her work explores race, gender, and politics, often focusing on the experiences of Black communities in the United States.
Melissa Harris-Perry was born in Seattle, Washington, to a Black father and a white mother. She was raised in Chesterfield County, Virginia, a suburban area near the independent city of Richmond. During her adolescence, she attended Thomas Dale High School in Chesterfield County.
Her father, the late William M. Harris, was a highly educated man who became the first dean of African-American Affairs at the University of Virginia. Her mother, Diana Gray, taught at a community college and was pursuing her doctorate when she met Harris-Perry’s father. Deeply committed to social justice, Gray also worked for nonprofit organizations, providing services such as daycare centers, rural healthcare assistance, and reproductive services for low-income families. Harris-Perry attributes much of her civic-mindedness and dedication to community service to the values instilled by her parents.
In addition to her media work, Melissa Harris-Perry has had a distinguished academic career. She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University and has held faculty positions at several institutions, including Princeton University, University of Chicago, and Wake Forest University. Her academic research and publications often focus on African-American political thought, Black women’s intellectual history, and democratic engagement.
Harris-Perry gained national visibility as the host of her self-titled television show, Melissa Harris-Perry, which aired on weekends on MSNBC from 2012 to 2016. The program was known for its inclusive approach to political dialogue and its emphasis on underrepresented perspectives, particularly those of African-Americans, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. The show provided a platform for in-depth discussions on current events, race, gender, and social justice.
The program ended on February 27, 2016, after Harris-Perry departed due to editorial disagreements with the network. Despite its conclusion, the show was widely praised for pioneering a new format of political commentary on cable news that expanded the boundaries of mainstream discourse.
| Birth Date: | 2 Oct, 1973 |
| Age: | 46 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Seattle |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American journalist |
| Net Worth 2021: | 9 million |
