Featured Writings

How Black Lives Matter Came to the Academy

On a Saturday night in early June, Shardé Davis, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut, was sitting on a couch in a rented apartment in San Diego, scrolling through her Twitter feed.

Queen Sugar: How Ava DuVernay Elevated Women Directors (With Oprah’s Help)

It wasn’t so long ago that Black family dramas were virtually nonexistent on television—a fact that makes Queen Sugar, now in its final season, an even more extraordinary feat.

As a kid, I was biracial (and black). Today, I'm black (and biracial).

All in the Family: A Multicultural Memoir

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Kristal is one of the best journalists in the business. I have hired her a number of times to write articles for ESSENCE. Each time she delivered. The stories are always well-reported, beautifully crafted and well-received. Kristal has an eye for good stories and spends time making sure her articles are factual. Like most talented journalists, Kristal is a pro who takes good direction from her editors.

Tatsha RobertsonNews editor, People magazine

Kristal has a good ear, a calm manner, and high expectations. She knows exactly what works on the page and why.

Jill KirschenbaumEditor, Wall Street Journal

Kristal is blessed with genuine intellectual curiosity, along with the instincts and drive of an old-fashioned reporter. Both her and her work are truly special.

Eugene RobinsonColumnist and associate editor, The Washington Post

We value her commitment to taking on even the most difficult stories in the interest of serious journalism.

Diane WeathersFormer editor-in-chief, Essence magazine

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