The Guardian announces Jamil Smith as new columnist

Jamil Smith (Photo courtesy of Jamil Smith)

The Guardian has announced that Jamil Smith has joined as a new regular U.S. columnist covering the intersection of politics, culture and identity. He will report to the Guardian’s U.S. opinion editor, Amana Fontanella-Khan.

A seasoned journalist, television producer and cultural critic, Smith has more than 25 years of experience shaping public discourse on national issues, including racial justice, political polarization and the evolving role of media in democracy. Most recently, he served as editor-in-chief of the Emancipator — a non-profit digital magazine dedicated to exploring the state of race and racism in America — and as an essayist for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to this, Smith has held multiple newsroom leadership roles, including as a senior correspondent and podcast host for Vox, a senior writer for Rolling Stone, a senior national correspondent for MTV News and a senior editor for the New Republic.

Over the course of his career, Smith has received multiple recognitions, including three Sports Emmy awards during his time producing for NFL Films. Among his notable works is a Time magazine cover story on Black Panther, lauded for its cultural significance.

A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Smith is now based in northern California and recently began teaching as a faculty lecturer at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

He said: “Readers of the Guardian know that it doesn’t flinch from hard truths, nor does it confuse balance with honesty. I’m excited to join a newsroom that believes journalism’s core purpose is accountability, and that taking power seriously still matters.”

Betsy Reed, U.S. editor of the Guardian, said: “In his writing, Jamil connects the dots between culture, policy and personal experience in a uniquely compelling way. His voice embodies the kind of journalism the Guardian is known for — fearless, honest and humane. He’ll be a vital addition to our opinion desk and we are delighted to welcome him.”

About the Guardian:

The Guardian is a global, reader-funded news organization committed to high-quality journalism, progressive values and editorial independence. Founded in 1821, the Guardian is renowned for its rigorous reporting and commentary on politics, the environment, social justice, sports, wellness and culture geared for a global audience.

In the U.S., the Guardian has more than 100 editorial staff members across its bureaus in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Its agenda-setting journalism draws an audience of more than 40 million U.S. readers every month, making it one of the top news sites in America. The Guardian’s U.S. newsroom has been recognized with several awards, including the George Polk award, the Scripps Howard award, the Edward R Murrow award and the Pulitzer Prize.