Jelani Cobb Biography
Jelani Cobb is an American writer, author, and educator, who was born and brought up in Queens, New York, United States of America. He is the and dean of the Columbia Journalism School. Currently, he works as the editor of the race, ethnicity, and racial justice section of The New Yorker, where he has worked since 2015. He was the editor of the race and ethnicity section of The New York Times Magazine. Prior, he worked as the editor-in-chief of The Root.
Cobb is the author of the books The Devil and the Dark Water: The Triumph of James Meredith and the Battle for Mississippi Freedom (2008) and The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress (2009). He has also edited the books The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (2010) by Michelle Alexander and The Fire Next Time (2011) by James Baldwin.
Cobb is a respected voice on race, politics, and culture. His work has been praised for its incisive analysis and its commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities. He is a frequent contributor to major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN. He is also a frequent commentator on MSNBC and NPR.
10 Quick Facts About Jelani Cobb
Jelani Cobb Age
Cobb is 54 years old. He was born on 21 August 1969, in Queens, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 21 August every year and his birth sign is Leo.
Jelani Cobb Height
Cobb stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m).
Jelani Cobb Weight
Cobb Weighs 108 kg (238 lbs).
Early Life and Education
Jelani Cobb was born on August 21, 1969, in Queens, New York City. He is the youngest of four children. His parents, Willie Lee Cobb and Dorothy Cobb, were both from the American South and had migrated to New York City in search of better opportunities.
Cobb’s early education was shaped by his parents’ commitment to education. His father, who had only a third-grade education, taught him to read and write at an early age. Cobb attended Jamaica High School in Queens, where he excelled in academics and was active in the debate team.
After high school, Cobb enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He originally planned to study law, but he changed his major to history after taking a class with David Levering Lewis, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of W.E.B. Du Bois. Cobb graduated from Howard in 1991 with a degree in English.
After graduating from Howard, Cobb worked as a reporter for the Amsterdam News, a black-owned newspaper in New York City. He then attended Rutgers University, where he received his master’s degree and doctorate in American history. His dissertation focused on the history of African American anticommunism in the 20th century.
Rise to Fame
Jelani Cobb rose to fame as a journalist and historian. He is known for his incisive analysis of race, politics, and culture. His work has been praised for its commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities.
Cobb’s rise to fame began in 2008, when he began writing for The New Yorker. He quickly became one of the magazine’s most prominent writers on race, politics, and culture. His work has been featured on the cover of The New Yorker several times, and he has been praised by critics for his “incisive analysis” and “commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities.”
In addition to his work at The New Yorker, Cobb is also a frequent contributor to other national publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. He is also a frequent commentator on MSNBC and NPR.
Jelani Cobb Family, Parents
Cobb was born to his parents Mary Bester Cobb and Willie Lee Cobb in New York. His father Willie, worked as an electrician with a third-grade education. Both of Cobb’s parents had migrated from the American south, where they did not have access to high-quality schools. Details about his mother are not available however, the information will be updated once available to the public.
Jelani Cobb Siblings
Cobb spent his childhood with his three elder siblings. Our efforts to find out more about his family came to no avail as no such information is publicly available. Thus, the identity of his siblings is still unclear. We will update this section once this information is available.
Jelani Cobb Wife
Cobb has not gone public with his relationship, it is not publicly known whether he is married or in a relationship. His partner’s information will be updated as soon as the information is available.
Tamara Keith Jelani Cobb
Tamara Keith and Cobb are not married though they are both journalists. Keith is married to Ira Gordon, a cancer researcher and veterinarian.
Jelani Cobb Daughter
Cobb has one child, a daughter by the name, Aiesha. She happens to be his everything. There are no many details known about his daughter. However, the information will be updated once released to the public.
Jelani Cobb Net Worth
Cobb has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money and income. His primary source of income is his career as a writer, author, and educator. Through his various sources of income, Jelani has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Jelani Cobb Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Cobb.
Jelani Cobb Wiki
- Full Names: William Jelani Cobb
- Popular As: Jelani Cobb
- Occupation / Profession: Writer, Author, and Educator
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: Black
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Jelani Cobb Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 54 years old
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Date of Birth: August 21, 1969
- Place of Birth: Queens, New York, USA
- Birthday: August 21
Jelani Cobb Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)
- Weight: 108 kg (238 lbs)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Bald
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Jelani Cobb Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Willie Lee Cobb
- Mother: Mary Bester Cobb
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Three (3)
- Marital Status: Single
- Wife/Spouse: Not Available
- Dating / Girlfriend: Single
- Children: Daughter(s) (Aiesha) Sons (None)
Jelani Cobb Net worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 Million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Writer, Author, and Educator
Jelani Cobb House and Cars
- Place of living: New York, New York, United States
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Jelani Cobb Career
Jelani Cobb is an American historian, journalist, and editor. He is currently the dean of the Columbia Journalism School. He has also been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2015. From 2014 to 2015, he was the editor of the race and ethnicity section of The New York Times Magazine. Prior to that, he was the editor-in-chief of The Root from 2008 to 2014.
Cobb’s career has been focused on journalism and academia. He has written for a variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and The Nation. He has also taught history at Spelman College and the University of Connecticut.
In 2015, Cobb was appointed dean of the Columbia Journalism School. He is the first African American to hold this position. In his new role, Cobb has pledged to make the school more inclusive and to promote diversity in journalism.
Cobb is a respected voice on race, politics, and culture. His work has been praised for its incisive analysis and its commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities. He is a frequent contributor to major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN. He is also a frequent commentator on MSNBC and NPR.
Cobb is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Sidney Hillman Prize, the National Association of Black Journalists’ Award for Excellence in Commentary, and the Carl T. Rowan Award for Race Relations Reporting. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Jelani Cobb The New Yorker
Jelani has been contributing to The New Yorker since 2012 and became a staff writer in 2015. He writes frequently about race, politics, history, and culture. His most recent book is “The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress.”
He won the 2015 Sidney Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism, for his columns on race, the police, and injustice. He teaches at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
Jelani Cobb Books
- The Devil and the Dark Water: The Triumph of James Meredith and the Battle for Mississippi Freedom (2008) tells the story of James Meredith, the first African American to attend the University of Mississippi.
- The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress (2009) examines the presidency of Barack Obama and the challenges he faced in addressing issues of race and inequality.
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America (2013) tells the story of the federal government’s role in creating and maintaining segregation in the United States.
- The Fire Is Upon Us: The Battle for Black Lives (2016) chronicles the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests that followed the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and other unarmed black men at the hands of police.
- The Reconstruction Era: America After the Civil War (2019) tells the story of the Reconstruction era, a period of great change and upheaval in American history.
Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
Jelani Cobb has had many notable travel, events, and experiences throughout his career as a journalist, historian, and editor. Here are a few examples:
- In 2008, Cobb traveled to Mississippi to research his book The Devil and the Dark Water: The Triumph of James Meredith and the Battle for Mississippi Freedom. He interviewed civil rights activists who had participated in the Freedom Summer of 1964, and he visited the sites of some of the most important events of the civil rights movement.
- In 2015, Cobb traveled to South Africa to attend the funeral of Nelson Mandela. He wrote a moving tribute to Mandela for The New Yorker, in which he praised Mandela’s commitment to racial justice and his vision for a more just and equitable world.
- In 2016, Cobb traveled to Ferguson, Missouri, to cover the protests that followed the death of Michael Brown at the hands of police. He wrote a series of articles for The New Yorker that explored the racial tensions that had led to the protests and the challenges of achieving racial justice in America.
- In 2020, Cobb traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to cover the protests that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake. He wrote a series of articles for The New Yorker that explored the anger and frustration that had led to the protests and the need for police reform in America.
Future Aspirations and Goals
Jelani Cobb has many future aspirations and goals. He has said that he wants to continue to write about race, politics, and culture, and he wants to use his platform to help promote racial justice. He also wants to continue to teach and mentor young journalists, and he wants to help make the field of journalism more inclusive and diverse.
Here are some of Jelani Cobb’s specific future aspirations and goals:
- Continue to write about race, politics, and culture: Cobb has said that he wants to continue to write about the most important issues facing America today, including race, politics, and culture. He wants to use his writing to help people understand these issues and to promote a more just and equitable society.
- Use his platform to help promote racial justice: Cobb is a leading voice in the fight for racial justice. He wants to use his platform to help raise awareness of the challenges facing marginalized communities and to promote policies that will achieve racial justice.
- Continue to teach and mentor young journalists: Cobb is a passionate educator. He wants to continue to teach and mentor young journalists, and he wants to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the field.
- Help make the field of journalism more inclusive and diverse: Cobb believes that the field of journalism is not as inclusive or diverse as it should be. He wants to help make the field more inclusive and diverse by supporting organizations that are working to promote diversity in journalism.
Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement
Jelani Cobb is a passionate advocate for social justice and has been involved in a number of philanthropic, charitable, and community organizations. Here are a few examples:
- The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center: Cobb is a member of the board of directors of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center, an organization that works to promote human rights around the world.
- The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: Cobb is a member of the board of trustees of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a research library and cultural center that preserves and promotes the history and culture of African Americans.
- The National Association of Black Journalists: Cobb is a former president of the National Association of Black Journalists, the largest organization of Black journalists in the United States.
- The New York Public Library: Cobb is a member of the board of trustees of the New York Public Library, the largest public library system in the United States.
Jelani Cobb Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
Jelani Cobb has received numerous awards for his work as a journalist, historian, and editor. Here are some of his most notable awards and achievements:
- Sidney Hillman Prize: Cobb won the Sidney Hillman Prize in 2011 for his reporting on race in America. The Sidney Hillman Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in American journalism.
- National Association of Black Journalists’ Award for Excellence in Commentary: Cobb has won the National Association of Black Journalists’ Award for Excellence in Commentary three times, in 2011, 2016, and 2020. The NABJ is the largest organization of Black journalists in the United States.
- Carl T. Rowan Award for Race Relations Reporting: Cobb won the Carl T. Rowan Award for Race Relations Reporting in 2012. The Carl T. Rowan Award is given to journalists who have made significant contributions to the coverage of race relations in America.
- Council on Foreign Relations: Cobb is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a prestigious think tank that focuses on international affairs.
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences: Cobb is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on an American scholar.
Legacy
Jelani Cobb is a talented and accomplished journalist, historian, and editor. He has made significant contributions to the field of journalism and to the fight for racial justice. He is a respected voice on race, politics, and culture, and his work has been praised for its incisive analysis and its commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities. He is a leading voice in the fight for racial justice and an inspiration to young journalists and activists.
Cobb’s legacy will be one of a brilliant and dedicated journalist who used his platform to make a difference in the world. He was a tireless advocate for social justice, and his work helped to raise awareness of the challenges facing marginalized communities and to promote policies that will achieve racial justice. He was also a mentor and inspiration to young journalists, and he helped to make the field of journalism more inclusive and diverse.
Cobb’s work will continue to be an inspiration to people for generations to come. He was a true champion of justice and equality, and his legacy will live on.
Here are some of Jelani Cobb’s most notable achievements that will shape his legacy:
- He is the first African American to serve as dean of the Columbia Journalism School.
- He is the author of several books, including The Devil and the Dark Water: The Triumph of James Meredith and the Battle for Mississippi Freedom (2008) and The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress (2009).
- He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Sidney Hillman Prize, the National Association of Black Journalists’ Award for Excellence in Commentary, and the Carl T. Rowan Award for Race Relations Reporting.
- He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- He is a passionate advocate for social justice and has been involved in a number of philanthropic, charitable, and community organizations.
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading: Cobb is an avid reader and enjoys reading a wide variety of books, including history, politics, and fiction. He has said that he reads about 100 books a year.
- Music: Cobb is a fan of jazz, hip hop, and soul music. He enjoys playing the saxophone and listening to music in his spare time.
- Traveling: Cobb loves to travel and has visited many countries around the world. He enjoys learning about different cultures and meeting new people.
- Cooking: Cobb is a talented cook and enjoys experimenting with new recipes. He has said that his favorite dish to cook is fried chicken.
- Spending time with family and friends: Cobb is a family man and enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys spending time with his friends and going out to dinner or movies.
Quotes
“The fight for racial justice is not just about the past, but also about the present and the future. We must continue to work to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their race.”
“The singular virtue of the [Twitter] fiasco over which [Elon] Musk has presided is the possibility that the outcome will sever, at least temporarily, the American conflation of wealth with intellect. Market valuation is not proof of genius.”
“The history of race in America is a history of violence, but it is also a history of resistance. And it is that history of resistance that we must continue to draw upon as we fight for a more just and equitable society.”
“We must never forget that racism is a social construct, and that it can be dismantled. We must continue to fight for a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race.”
Final Thoughts
Jelani Cobb is a talented and accomplished journalist, historian, and editor. He has made significant contributions to the field of journalism and to the fight for racial justice. He is a respected voice on race, politics, and culture, and his work has been praised for its incisive analysis and its commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities. He is a leading voice in the fight for racial justice and an inspiration to young journalists and activists.
Conclusion
Jelani is a living example of the power of the human spirit. He has overcome many challenges in his life, but he has never given up on his dreams. He is an inspiration to us all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jelani Cobb
Who is Jelani Cobb?Jelani Cobb is an American writer, author, and educator, who currently, he works as the editor of the race, ethnicity, and racial justice section of The New Yorker.
How old is Jelani Cobb?Jelani is an American national born on 21st August 1969, in Queens, New York
How tall is Jelani Cobb?Jelani stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 meters).
Is Jelani Cobb married?Details about Jelani’s love life are still under review. We will let you know when he gets in a relationship or when we discover helpful information about his love life.
How much is Jelani Cobb worth?Jelani has an approximate net worth of $5 million. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the media industry.
How much does Jelani Cobb make?Details about Jelani’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Where does Jelani Cobb live?Jelani is a resident of New York, New York, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Is Jelani Cobb dead or alive?Jelani is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Jelani Cobb Now?Jelani is the dean of the Columbia Journalism School since 2022.
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