John Howard Griffin was an American journalist and author from Texas who was deeply committed to the cause of racial equality. Known for his audacious project in 1959, Griffin undertook a transformative journey to experience life from the other side of the color line. By temporarily darkening his skin, he traveled through the Deep South as a black man, aiming to gain a firsthand understanding of the lived experiences of segregation.

His explorations covered several states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, revealing the harsh realities of racism. Griffin's initial articles on his experiences were published in Sepia magazine, which had supported the project. These articles later formed the basis of his book, Black Like Me, first published in 1961. This groundbreaking work provided a unique and harrowing insight into the racial tensions of the era. Black Like Me was later adapted into a 1964 film and celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new edition published in 2011 by Wings Press.