Picture an American historian who weaves the untold stories of African American and Native American lives into captivating narratives—meet Tiya Miles! A Harvard professor, MacArthur Fellow, and award-winning author, Miles illuminates the intersections of race, gender, and place with a storyteller’s flair. Her work, blending rigorous research with heartfelt prose, invites readers to rethink America’s complex past.
From her groundbreaking nonfiction like Ties That Bind to her evocative novel The Cherokee Rose, Miles has carved a unique space in historical storytelling. Let’s dive into her journey, from her Cincinnati roots to her status as a leading public historian reshaping how we understand history.
The Making of Tiya Miles
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tiya Miles grew up with a love for reading, nurtured by her parents—her mother, a retired attorney, and her father, a school principal. This passion led her to Harvard University, where she earned an A.B. in Afro-American Studies in 1992. She continued her academic journey with an M.A. from Emory University and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, focusing on American Studies. Her early career at the University of California, Berkeley, and a 16-year tenure at the University of Michigan honed her expertise in African American and Native American histories.
A pivotal moment came in 2011 when Miles received a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship, which she humbly downplays but used to pay off student loans and fund family support. This recognition fueled her confidence to explore creative writing, blending her scholarly rigor with imaginative storytelling.
Tiya Miles’s Unforgettable Stories
Miles’s bibliography is a treasure trove of historical insight and narrative power. Her first book, Ties That Bind: The Story of an Afro-Cherokee Family in Slavery and Freedom (2005), traces the life of an Afro-Cherokee family, earning the Frederick Jackson Turner Award for its fresh perspective on race and identity. The House on Diamond Hill: A Cherokee Plantation Story (2010) uncovers the complex dynamics of a Cherokee plantation, winning multiple prizes for its nuanced portrayal of slavery.
In 2015, Miles ventured into fiction with The Cherokee Rose: A Novel of Gardens and Ghosts, a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Set on a haunted Georgia plantation, it weaves past and present, showcasing her ability to merge historical accuracy with emotional depth. Her 2021 bestseller, All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake, won the National Book Award, tracing a family’s resilience through a single cotton sack. Miles’s style—vivid, empathetic, and grounded in archival research—brings forgotten voices to life, often focusing on the 19th-century U.S. South, Midwest, and West.
Her latest works, like Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People (2024), explore spiritual and ecological dimensions, reflecting her growing interest in environmental humanities. Whether through nonfiction or fiction, Miles crafts stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate interconnected histories.
Why Tiya Miles Matters
Tiya Miles’s impact extends beyond academia. As a public historian, she consults for museums like the Eiteljorg and engages communities through projects like ECO Girls, fostering environmental awareness among young girls. Her work reshapes how we view American history, highlighting the intertwined lives of African Americans and Native Americans. Awards like the Guggenheim Fellowship (2024–2025) and her role as a Harvard professor underscore her influence.
By blending scholarship with storytelling, Miles makes history accessible and urgent, encouraging readers to confront the past’s complexities while envisioning a more inclusive future. Her empathetic lens and commitment to truth-telling make her a vital voice in today’s cultural conversations.
About Tiya Miles
- Born: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Key Works: Ties That Bind, The House on Diamond Hill, The Cherokee Rose, All That She Carried
- Awards: MacArthur Fellowship (2011), National Book Award (2021), Frederick Douglass Prize
- Current Role: Michael Garvey Professor of History, Harvard University
Ready to explore America’s hidden histories? Grab All That She Carried or The Cherokee Rose and dive into Tiya Miles’s captivating world of storytelling!