Charles Blow — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Served as an op-ed columnist for The New York Times until February 2025 and is a political analyst for MSNBC.
Authored the book-length memoir 'Fire Shut Up in my Bones' (2014).
Published 'The Devil You Know: A Black Manifesto' (2021).
Graduated magna cum laude from Grambling State University with a bachelor's degree in mass communication.
Founded his high school newspaper and the student magazine Razz at Grambling State University.
Served as head of The New York Times' graphics department and as art director of National Geographic.

Biography

Charles McRay Blow, born August 11, 1970, is an American journalist, commentator, and political analyst. He was born and raised in Gibsland, Louisiana, where he founded his high school newspaper and graduated as valedictorian in 1988. Blow went on to graduate magna cum laude from Grambling State University with a bachelor's degree in mass communication. During his time as a student, he interned at several newspapers, edited the student newspaper, and founded the student magazine Razz.