#Nerdland, rejoice! Everyone’s favorite journalist is back!
Elle.com announced Monday afternoon that author, professor and former television host Melissa Harris-Perry would be stepping into the role of Editor-at-Large in order to tell the stories of women and girls of color on Elle’s website and social platforms. The magazine’s site director, Leah Chernikoff, wrote that Harris-Perry would “focus on the intersection of race, gender, politics, and yes, even fashion” in her new role at Elle.
I am THRILLED (THE MOST THRILLED!) to welcome @MHarrisPerry as the new editor-at-large of https://t.co/fhqY8CuDIY https://t.co/WRFQ4PO29p
— Leah Chernikoff (@leahchernikoff) April 18, 2016
https://t.co/yh3CUj7lSG is already producing smart and important reporting about women of color in the U.S. Honored to join their team.
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) April 18, 2016
The Wake Forest professor made waves this winter after publicly walking off production of her MSNBC show, Melissa Harris-Perry, criticizing the network for its move towards 24-hour election coverage and stifling her program’s creative direction. After an email that she had written to the Nerdland staff leaked, Harris-Perry officially parted ways with MSNBC.
Speaking with the hosts of Buzzfeed’s Another Round podcast, Harris-Perry said of the split, “I am fine…What I do think is not fine is that the end of the show is the end of a space where a lot of voices otherwise can’t be. I do think mass media has a responsibility to put those voices there. I don’t care if I’m not on air. I want those people there.”
As Elle’s Editor-at-Large, Harris-Perry will bring a new audience to the fashion magazine while shedding a light on important issues that may not have been covered before. Moments after her new role was announced, MHP posted a piece about HBO’s recent movie “Confirmation”, criticizing the missed opportunity to feature black feminists alongside Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Anita Hill.
My latest for https://t.co/yh3CUj7lSG: Where are the Rest of the Black Feminists in @HBO‘s #Confirmation? https://t.co/b7EdmudoVp
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) April 18, 2016
As media outlets continue to develop their staff to appeal to a broader, more diverse audience, the partnership between Elle and Melissa Harris-Perry will certainly produce interesting results. We can’t wait to see what she’ll do!
