Picture an American storyteller whose pen weaves raw, unflinching tales of Black womanhood—meet Morgan Jerkins! A New York Times bestselling author, Jerkins has captivated readers with her bold essays and novels, blending personal stories with sharp social commentary. From her debut This Will Be My Undoing to her multigenerational epic Zeal, she’s a literary force redefining cultural narratives.
Born in 1992, Jerkins grew up in a predominantly white New Jersey neighborhood, where she faced bullying and turned to writing at 14 as an outlet. Now based in Harlem, she’s a Princeton grad, a journalist, and a professor whose work sparks conversations about identity, race, and feminism.
The Making of Morgan Jerkins
Raised by her mother in New Jersey, Jerkins navigated a world where her Blackness often felt like an outlier. Her Creole ancestry and family ties to music producers Fred and Rodney Jerkins added layers to her identity. At Princeton, she studied comparative literature, mastering five languages, but post-graduation, the publishing world proved tough to crack. Undeterred, she earned an MFA at Bennington College, where her essays began to take shape. Her early struggles fueled her drive, leading to internships and freelance gigs at outlets like The New Yorker and The Atlantic.
Jerkins’s Christian faith and love for Harlem’s vibrant culture ground her work. Her journey from a shy teen to a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree showcases her resilience, making her a relatable yet inspiring figure for aspiring writers.
Morgan Jerkins’s Unforgettable Stories
Jerkins’s writing is a masterclass in vulnerability and intellect. Her debut, This Will Be My Undoing (2018), is a collection of essays exploring Black female identity, feminism, and life in white America. Critics like Roxane Gay praised its promise, though some noted its moralism. A New York Times bestseller, it was longlisted for the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award.
In Wandering in Strange Lands (2020), Jerkins traces her family’s Great Migration journey from the South to the North, blending memoir with history. Time called it a must-read, and Kirkus Reviews lauded its exploration of Blackness. Her novel Caul Baby (2021), an Amazon Best Book, dives into Harlem’s magical realism, focusing on a family’s healing caul. Her latest, Zeal (2025), spans 150 years, inspired by a Civil War-era love letter, celebrating Black resilience.
Jerkins’s style is tender yet fierce, weaving personal anecdotes with cultural critique. Her work amplifies Black women’s voices, drawing from Zora Neale Hurston’s legacy while carving her own path.
Why Morgan Jerkins Matters
Jerkins’s impact transcends the page. As senior editor at ZORA, she curated The Zora Canon, a list of 100 works by Black women writers, spotlighting voices from pre-Emancipation to today. Her journalism, earning two National Magazine Awards, tackles race, pop culture, and feminism, shaping discourse in outlets like Vanity Fair. As a Columbia University professor, she mentors the next generation, while her debut film, Black Madonna, signals her growing influence in new mediums.
Her honest storytelling challenges readers to confront systemic inequalities, making her a vital voice in contemporary literature. Jerkins’s work doesn’t just entertain—it inspires change, proving Black women’s stories are universal and essential.
- Born: 1992 in New Jersey
- Key Works: This Will Be My Undoing, Wandering in Strange Lands, Caul Baby, Zeal
- Awards: Two National Magazine Awards, Forbes 30 Under 30
- Fun Fact: Speaks six languages, including Japanese and Russian
Snag This Will Be My Undoing or Zeal and dive into Morgan Jerkins’s vibrant, thought-provoking world!