David A. Wilson

Executive Editor, theGrio

David A. Wilson is the managing editor and founder of theGrio.com. David began his career at the assignment desks for local news. He worked on the award-winning CBS News program 48 Hours, where he researched and developed content for the news magazine show. He also served as lead producer and oversaw newsroom operations for NNS (Network News Service), a national news gathering service, and an ABC, CBS, and FOX News conglomerate.

David also directed and wrote the critically acclaimed MSNBC documentary, Meeting David Wilson, a film that chronicled his personal journey to find answers to today's racial disparities in America.

Joy-Ann Reid

Managing Editor, theGrio

Joy-Ann (“Joy”) Reid is the managing editor of TheGrio.com and an on-air contributor on MSNBC. She is also a political columnist for the Miami Herald and editor of the political blog The Reid Report. Joy has worked in television and radio news since 1998, including for WTVJ and Fox station WSVN. In addition to the Herald, her columns have appeared on Salon.com, TheGrio, CommonDreams.org, in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, and the South Florida Times. From 2006-2007 she produced and co-hosted “Wake Up South Florida,” the morning show for Radio One’s then-Miami affiliate WTPS, alongside 30-year radio veteran James T. Ms. Reid is a graduate of Harvard University, where she majored in visual arts with a concentration in documentary film, and a 2003 Knight Center for Specialized Journalism fellow. She has appeared as a political commentator on national and local television and radio, including MSNBC, CNBC, Miami PBS affiliate WPBT, on WTVJ/NBC 6, Britain’s Sky News and Miami radio stations Hot 105 and 103.5 The Beat. She and her husband are producing the documentary "The Fight Years" for WPBT in Miami.

Adam Howard

Deputy Editor, theGrio

Adam Howard is the Deputy Editor of theGrio. Previously he was an editor and contributor for The Nation and AlterNet. He is a graduate of Columbia University's school of journalism and is based in Brooklyn, NY.

Perry Bacon Jr.

Political Editor

Perry Bacon Jr., the Grio’s political editor, is a veteran reporter in Washington, with stints at the Washington Post and Time Magazine. He has covered the last three presidential elections, as well as Congress and the White House. He is also an MSNBC contributor. He can be reached at perry.bacon@nbcuni.com and you can follow him on Twitter @perrybaconjr.

Daniel Woolsey

Director of Operations, theGrio

Dan Woolsey is originally from Washington D.C. and has been a television producer, film producer and cinematographer. He currently lives in Manhattan.

Barion L. Grant

Co-Founder & Director of Sales, theGrio

Barion Grant is a co-founder and director of sales for NBC’s theGrio.com. He is also the producer of the documentary, “Meeting David Wilson,” which chronicled an African-American journalist’s journey through his past to meet his namesake on the plantation where his ancestors were enslaved.

Barion’s career in film and television production started at MTV Networks most notably as the associate producer and researcher of the Oscar Nominated documentary “Tupac: Resurrection.” While at MTV, he spent several years honing his craft as a News & Documentaries producer. He produced many series and specials for the network including True Life, High School Stories, Ego-Trip’s Race-O-Rama, A Playa’s Guide to Scarface, The 50 Cent House Party and All Eyes On: Jay-Z. He has also developed programs for MTV2, FUSE, Current TV and VH1.

Barion graduated with a BA in Communication Radio/TV/Film from Rowan University in 2000. He is a proud Newark, NJ native and currently resides in Harlem.

Todd Johnson

Digital Journalist, Producer, theGrio

Todd Johnson is a digital journalist for theGrio.com. He earned his masters degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. He is a proud member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.

Chris Witherspoon

Entertainment Editor, theGrio

Graduated from Ohio University in 2004 majoring in Communications Studies. Work as a page for NBC Universal from 2005-2006. Served as assistant to the VP of NBC News Communications from 2008-2009. Assistant to CEO of NBC Universal from 2009-2011

Currently working at theGrio.com as Associate Editor covering Entertainment News.

Kyle Harvey

Music Editor, theGrio

Kyle Harvey is the Web & Music Editor for theGrio.com. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Production at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, he now lives in Harlem.

Dr. Tyeese Gaines

Health Editor, theGrio

Dr. Ty is a physician-journalist with over 10 years of print and broadcast experience, now serving as health editor for theGrio.com. She has appeared as a medical expert on MSNBC and WNBC, and written for Boston Magazine and NBC6 in Miami. Dr. Ty is a practicing emergency medicine physician at Raritan Bay Medical Center in New Jersey. She completed her residency training at Yale-New Haven Hospital where she was chief resident. In addition to her doctorate in medicine, she holds degrees in African-American Studies and Journalism.

Jeff Johnson

theGrio's Senior Correspondent

Jeff Johnson is a political expert and activist who earned his reputation as a positive force among youth and young adults through his politically conscious television personality, “Cousin Jeff” on the Black Entertainment Television shows, “The Jeff Johnson Chronicles”, and “Rap City.” He has been dubbed the "conscience voice" of Black Entertainment Television.

Johnson has spent the last decade merging the worlds of politics and popular culture. His roles as a political activist have included work as Senior Advisor for Media and Youth Outreach for People for the American Way, National Director of the Youth & College division of the NAACP, and Vice President of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).

Chika Oduah

NBC News Associate

Chika Oduah is a NBC News Associate at theGrio.com. Chika earned her Master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She is a staunch supporter of international news coverage and has reported in Kenya, El Salvador, Guatemala and Kenya among various locations. For more, visit www.chika-oduah.com.

Jay Scott Smith

Feature Writer and Sports/Social Commentator

A Detroit native, Jay Scott Smith holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Michigan State University, a Master's Degree in Journalism from Wayne State University, and studied radio broadcast at the Specs Howard School of Media Arts. He is currently a freelance sports writer with the Detroit News, has worked with Detroit Public Radio (WDET 101.9), and served as a co-host of local talk show RealTalkFM on WGPR-FM 107.5 from 2008-2010. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma and the National Association of Black Journalists.

Kunbi Tinuoye

Reporter

Kunbi Tinuoye is an award-winning multi-media journalist. She has spent most of her career working as a producer and reporter for the BBC in London. Follow her on Twitter @Kunbiti.

Cassie M. Chew

theGrio D.C. Correspondent

Cassie M. Chew is a media vagabond currently based in Washington, D.C. For the past decade she has worked on staff and on contract as business and politics reporter focusing on education, technology and health care policy. Cassie also has traveled to Guinea, West Africa and Kurdistan, Iraq to pursue projects in documentary film.

Chelsea-Lyn Rudder

Reporter

Chelsea-Lyn Rudder holds a Master's of Science in Global Affairs from New York University . She has contributed to the Huffington Post and the Downtown Express, the local paper for Lower Manhattan. Miss Rudder has a background in government and politics and was the Executive Director of the New York City Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, 2005 - 2010. Follow Miss Rudder on Twitter @ChelseaLynR.

Amelia McGriff

TV news producer, freelance writer

Amelia McGriff is a television news producer and freelance writer. A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University, Amelia currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Follow her on Twitter @AmeliaMcGriff.

Vivian Glover

Freelance Writer

Vivian Glover is a writer and freelance journalist who formerly worked as a producer for NBC News. Literary credits include “The First Fig Tree,” nominated for the Booker Prize in the first novel category. She is co-producer of the PBS documentary, “Shared History.” Glover was also the consultant for “The Marines of Montford Point: Fighting for Freedom,” the documentary chronicling the African American men who became the first United States Marines.

Melanie Eversley

Journalist

Melanie Eversley is a journalist based in the Washington, D.C., area who has covered Congress, race and politics over the course of many years. She wrote about Capitol Hill for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and for the Detroit Free Press, and race relations for the Detroit paper and the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey. She is a reporter on the rewrite desk of USA Today and a contributing writer for TheRoot.com. Melanie is a graduate of Oberlin College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and a proud native of New York City.

Mashaun D. Simon

Freelance writer

A native of Atlanta, GA, Mashaun D. Simon, 31, is a freelance writer, reporter and consultant. His byline has been seen in Black Enterprise, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Essence Magazine, Upscale and the Seattle Times

Goldie Taylor

Opinion writer and cable news pundit

A veteran journalist, Goldie Taylor is an Atlanta based cable news contributor, author and opinion columnist. She is managing editor of The Goldie Taylor Project. For more information, visitwww.goldietaylor.com.

David A. Love

Executive Editor, BlackCommentator.com

David A. Love is Philadelphia-based writer and Executive Editor of BlackCommentator.com. He is a contributor to the Huffington Post, the Progressive Media Project, McClatchy-Tribune News Service and Philadelphia Independent Media Center. He also blogs at Daily Kos, NewsOne, and Open Salon. He contributed to the book, States of Confinement: Policing, Detention and Prisons (2000). Love received a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies from Harvard College, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He also completed the joint program in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford. Love served as a law clerk to two African American federal judges. His website is davidalove.com.

Edward Wyckoff Williams

Political Analyst

Edward Wyckoff Williams is an expert in Political Economy. He is a former Investment Banker, currently working as a private equity adviser and doing political commentary for MSNBC. Formerly, he served on the staffs of two United States Senators, and interned at The White House during the Clinton Administration. He holds his BA in History and Economics from Yale University, an MPhil from the University of Oxford, and studied for his J.D. at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. His first book, "Open Letter to Collect on Debt" is slated for publication in 2011. It explores the effects of the 2008 credit crunch on young urban professionals. Edward is a native of Newark, NJ and resides between London and New York City.

Sophia A. Nelson

Political Commentator and Author

Sophia is an attorney, author, political pundit, and communications strategist. She is editor in chief of the Political Intersection Blog and contributes regularly to The Root.com, The Washington Post-Opinion, New York Times, Essence.com, Essence Magazine, NPR, BET, MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. She has been quoted by a variety of media outlets as a political analyst and is a regular guest contributor to XM’s POTUS08, CNN Morning, CNN International, WHUR, and The Michael Eric Dyson Show, where she dissects and debates the important issues of the day, ranging from presidential politics and public policy formation on Capitol Hill to the burning social and cultural issues of our day. She is author of the forthcoming non-fiction book, “Black.Female.Accomplished.Redefined.”

Michael Arceneaux

Political and pop culture writer

Michael Arceneaux is a Houston-bred, Howard-educated freelance writer now based in Los Angeles. When he's not covering pop culture and politics for sites like BET.com, The Root, and TV One Online ,he's comparing his Uncle to Rick James, and sharing fun facts like which pop artist resembles a Teddy Graham on his site, The Cynical Ones.

Melissa Harris-Lacewell and James Perry

Associate Professor of Politics & African American Studies at Princeton

Melissa Harris-Lacewell is Associate Professor of Politics and African American Studies at Princeton University. James Perry is Executive Director of Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center and a candidate for mayor of New Orleans.

Blair L.M. Kelley

Blair L.M. Kelley

Blair L.M. Kelley is Associate Professor of History and the Director of Graduate History Programs at North Carolina State University. She is the author of the award-winning book, Right to Ride: Streetcar Boycotts and African American Citizenship in the Era of Plessy v. Ferguson. Right to Ride won the 2010 Letitia Woods Brown Best Book Award from the Association of Black Women Historians.

April Ryan, White House Correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks

April Ryan, a 26-year journalism veteran, is the White House correspondent and Washington Bureau Chief for American Urban Radio Networks. She has covered, traveled the world with and interviewed three American Presidents over the past 14 years in her position. Ryan was recently elected to serve on the board of the prestigious White House Correspondents Association for a three year term. She is one of only three African Americans in the association’s 97-year history to serve on the WHCA board.

Mychal Denzel Smith

Writer and Social Commentator

Mychal Denzel Smith is a writer currently based in Virginia Beach, VA. He is a regular contributor to TheLoop21.com, as well as having blogged for Elon James White's ThisWeekinBlackness.com and contributing to Rebecca Walker's "One Big Happy Family" series on The Huffington Post. Follow him on Twitter (@mychalsmith) or contact him via email at mychal@theloop21.com.

Marcus Vanderberg

Sports and social commentator

Marcus Vanderberg is an online producer for BET.com and author of the Playa Hater sports blog. Prior to working at BET.com, he previously worked at AOL Black Voices and has written for ESPN.com, MLB.com and iVillage. A graduate of Hofstra University, Marcus currently resides in Los Angeles.

Kia Miakka Natisse

Writer

Kia Miakka Natisse is a freelance writer living and working in New York City. You can read more from her at her website, www.winkandgun.com. Follow her on Twitter @miakka_natisse

Harriette Cole

President, Harriette Cole Media

Harriette Cole is the President and Creative Director of Harriette Cole Media and the former editor in chief and creative director of Ebony magazine.

Terrell Starr

Ukraine-based Journalist

Terrell J. Starr is currently a Fulbright Scholar in Ukraine working on a project that explores the cultural nuances of and societal impacts on interracial marriage between Ukrainians and immigrants to the country. He earned his bachelors degree in English from Philander Smith College, a historically black college in Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating from Philander Smith in 2002, Terrell was accepted into the Peace Corps and served as a English teacher volunteer in the former Soviet country of Georgia. After that, he earned two masters degrees in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (the first black person in the school’s history to do so) and a second in journalism from the University of Illinois in May of 2009. An expert on the former Soviet Union, Terrell has traveled the region extensively and specializes in African/Soviet Union relations. He was born and raised in Detroit, MI.

Mike McCray

Music Contributor

Mike McCray is a Charlotte native that attributes his love of music partially to being stuck in the car with talk radio way too many times as a kid. He recently graduated from North Carolina A&T where he was simultaneously the editor in chief of the student newspaper, an on-air personality at the campus radio station, co-host of a weekly television show and podcast, as well as play-by-play announcer for the school’s basketball and football teams.

Zerlina Maxwell

Political Analyst

Zerlina Maxwell is a political analyst and staff writer for The Loop 21, where she writes about national politics, candidates, and specific policy and culture issues. She writes frequently about domestic violence, sexual assault, victim blaming and gender inequality. Zerlina is also a contributor for Feministing.com the the highest-traffic site for progressive young women on the web. Zerlina holds a B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University and is pursuing a J.D. at Rutgers Law School in Newark, New Jersey.

Raqiyah Mays

Writer

Raqiyah Mays is a writer by day, event planner by night and actress by dream. A reluctant journalist and radio personality, she’s written for The Associated Press, Essence and Billboard Magazine.

Imani Gandy

Editor, angryblacklady.com.

Imani Gandy is the editor at The Angry Black Lady Chronicles (http://angryblacklady.com) and a blogger/editor at balloon-juice.com

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

Political Scientist & Radio Host

Wilmer J. Leon III, Ph.D. is a Political Scientist whose primary areas of expertise are Black Politics, American Government, and Public Policy. He is a Teaching Associate in the Political Science Department at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Leon is also the host/producer of the nationally broadcast call in talk radio program On With on Sirius/XM Satellite radio channel 169 “The Power”. Dr. Leon earned a BS degree in Political Science from Hampton Institute, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Howard University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Howard University.

Veronica Miller

Entertainment contributor

A young and experienced communicator, writer and media producer. Veronica has worked with some of the largest companies in Washington media while maintaining a focus on entertainment and the performing arts.

Stephanie Humphrey

Tech-Life Expert

Stephanie Humphrey is a Tech-Life Expert and blogger at ‘A Matter of Life and Tech’. You can follow her on twitter @TechLifeSteph.

Abdul Ali

Writer

Abdul Ali is a freelance writer residing in the District of Columbia. He works in the arts sector and has written for The Root, Essence, Black Issues Book Review, and has contributed to National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation. He blogs at Words Matter (www.abdul-ali.com)

Monique W. Morris

Author and Social Justice Advocate

Monique W. Morris is the author of "Too Beautiful for Words" and more than 35 professional articles, book chapters, and other publications on social justice issues. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a scholar advocate in the areas of equal opportunity, civil rights, economic and social justice. Morris is also the Chief Executive Officer of the MWM Consulting Group, a research and technical assistance firm focused on the issues of fairness, diversity, and inclusion.

Donna M Owens

Award winning journalist

Donna M. Owens is an award-winning multimedia journalist whose byline has appeared in such outlets as NPR, O, the Oprah Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Essence, Black Enterprise, BET.com, AOL's Black Voices and MSNBC.com, to name a few. Owens previously held staff positions as a producer and investigative reporter for CBS and NBC stations nationwide, and was a political and general assignment reporter for several Maryland newspapers. A frequent globe-trotter, Owens recently co-authored a Fodor's travel guide on Maryland and Virginia.

Sylvia Franklin

Entertainment Contributor

Sylvia Franklin is a freelance writer. Having worked in TV for a number of years, her previous credits as writer include “Medical Investigation” and script coordinator, “Prison Break”.

Chiderah Monde

Entertainment Reporter & Film Critic

Chiderah is an entertainment reporter and film critic based in NYC. She covers film premieres and industry events for BlackTree TV, and maintains a movie review blog at www.thatgirlontv.com. Through her work Chiderah has been able to interview several notable celebrities including actors Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, and the cast of the Harry Potter films. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, and a Master’s in Arts Journalism focused on film, television and pop culture. In the past Chiderah has been a senior correspondent for Yourblackworld.com, and has interned at NBC News and VIBE Magazine.

Robert Traynham

Washington DC Bureau Chief, Comcast Network

The Comcast Network's Washington, D.C. bureau chief, Robert Traynham, hosts a half-hour political roundtable discussion each week called "Roll Call TV with Robert Traynham,", featuring a panel of political pundits and noted journalists. The show airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. and Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. from the network's Capitol Hill studio, featuring a Roll Call panelist as well as political experts, lawmakers and other newsmakers.

Nida Khan

Journalist

Nida Khan is an independent journalist and producer working in both print and radio. She is currently a news correspondent with WRKS 98.7 Kiss FM NY, and is a member of the production team for the station’s broadcasts ‘Open Line’ and ‘The Week in Review’.
Nida previously served as Editor-in-Chief of elan: The Guide to Global Muslim Culture, and has contributed pieces for such diverse outlets as The Associated Press, The New York Daily News, AOL BVX, The Huffington Post and more.

twitter.com/NidaKhanNY

Ivory J. Johnson

Director of Financial Planning at Scarborough Capital Management, Inc

Ivory Johnson has served as the Director of Financial Planning at Scarborough Capital Management, Inc. since 2001, helping hundreds of clients identify and reach their personal and financial objectives.

Ferrari Sheppard

Journalist and founder, StopBeingFamous.com

Ferrari Elite Sheppard is a music journalist, cultural critic and multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on race, gender, and politics in Hip Hop and American popular culture. Sheppard is also founder of StopBeingFamous.com, an online magazine dedicated to music interviews.

Demetria Irwin

Writer

Demetria Irwin is a New York City-based freelance writer, award-winning journalist and budding novelist. Follow her on Twitter (Love_is_Dope) to get her thoughts on current events, sarcastic tweets with friends and her latest genealogical finds. #AncestryGeek

Trevor Pryce

NFL player / Entrepreneur

14 years in the NFL, 2x Superbowl Champion, three teams and three invasive surgeries later, still standing.

8 years as a Record Executive, 3 years as a Film/TV writer-producer and an entire life as a big dreamer.

12 years as a parent, 4 years as a Tennis Fanatic, and future dad of a wimbledon women's title holder. Bank on it.

13 years as a husband and as I'm told by the better half, screwing that up royally on a day to day basis. (Toilet seat is too low for me to lift.)