Ta-Nehisi Paul Coates, born on September 30, 1975, is an influential American author, journalist, and activist renowned for his insightful analysis on cultural, social, and political issues, especially those concerning African Americans and white supremacy. His journey as a national correspondent at The Atlantic brought him widespread recognition, where his pen delved deep into these critical discussions.

Coates's early career saw him contributing to The Village Voice, Washington City Paper, and Time. His voice also resonated through the pages of The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Washington Monthly, O, and other notable publications. The author's bibliography includes three non-fiction books: The Beautiful Struggle, Between the World and Me, and We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy, with Between the World and Me securing the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction. Coates expanded his storytelling into the Marvel Universe, writing series for both Black Panther and Captain America. In 2019, he published his first novel, The Water Dancer.

His remarkable contributions to literature and journalism were recognized in 2015 when he was awarded a Genius Grant from the MacArthur Foundation. Coates's work not only captures the essence of the African American experience but also challenges readers to confront and contemplate the deep-seated issues of race and identity in America.