My People

More about the book

From the legendary Emmy Award-winning journalist comes a collection of groundbreaking reportage spanning five decades, vividly chronicling Black life in America today. At just eighteen, Charlayne Hunter-Gault made national headlines by successfully challenging her exclusion from the University of Georgia, becoming one of its first two Black students. Transitioning from subject to journalist, she emerged as a prominent voice in the field, navigating esteemed institutions like The New Yorker and the New York Times, often as the only Black woman in the newsroom. Throughout her illustrious career, Charlayne has illuminated the experiences of Black Americans, offering unprecedented insights into their lives. Her work addresses the evolving issues faced by Black communities, revealing that many challenges persist today. This collection reflects her lifelong dedication to portraying Black people authentically, "in ways that are recognizable to themselves." Covering events from the Civil Rights Movement to the election of America's first Black president, it showcases the complexity of the Black experience through trials, tragedies, triumphs, and everyday moments. This invaluable anthology highlights Charlayne's commitment to reporting on Black lives in their entirety.