Imani Perry is the Henry A. Morss, Jr. and Elisabeth W. Morss Professor of Studies of Women, Gender and Sexuality and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University and the Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor at Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Perry is the author of 8 books, including the New York Times Bestseller South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation which received the 2022 National Book Award for Nonfiction, the inaugural Inside Literary Prize, and was named one of President Obama’s favorite books of 2022. Perry's other award winning titles include: May We Forever Stand: A History of the Black National Anthem, Breathe: A Letter to My Sons, and Looking for Lorraine: The Radiant and Radical Life of Lorraine Hansberry. Perry has written for numerous publications including: The New York Times, The Atlantic, Harper's and Harper’s Bazaar. She is a 2023 MacArthur Foundation Fellow. She has also received Guggenheim and Pew Fellowships. Born in Birmingham Alabama, Perry is the mother of two young adult sons and currently lives between Cambridge Massachusetts and Philadelphia. Her newest book is Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People (2025).
