Atria Books is launching an imprint called Black Privilege Publishing, led by Charlamagne Tha God, author of Black Privilege and Shook One--both published by Atria--and the host of iHeartRadio's The Breakfast Club, host of a forthcoming weekly late-night show on Comedy Central, and founder of iHeart's Black Effect podcast network. Black Privilege Publishing said it will focus on "Black and brown narratives, rethinking traditional approaches to the industry, and engaging with the audiences Charlamagne knows best: cutting-edge, connected, and culturally aware."
Noting that he is a native of South Carolina, where it was prohibited to teach slaves to read and write, Charlamagne said, "Now, thanks to Black Privilege Publishing, we don't just read and write--we read, we write, and we publish our own narratives."
The imprint's first title is State of Emergency by Tamika D. Mallory, former executive director of the National Action Network, co-creator of New York City's Crisis Management System, co-founder of the 2017 Women's March and co-founder of social justice organization Until Freedom. She also co-hosts the newly launched "Street Politicians" podcast on iHeart Radio's Black Effect Network.
To be published May 11, 2021, State of Emergency is, Black Privilege Publishing said, "a searing indictment of America's historical, deadly, and continuing assault on Black lives. [It] will also share Mallory's trusted voice and inextricable experience--drawn from a lifetime of front line culture-shifting activism, organizing and fighting for equal justice--on how best to continue the country's onward advancement and momentum toward true equality and social justice."
Charlamagne commented: "Queen Tamika Mallory is my leader. If you're a black person in America, she's your leader, too. Tamika is one of those people who's ALWAYS on the frontlines fighting for us--not for self-serving reasons, but because she cares about Black People. History is going to be very kind to her. When it's all said and done, she will go down as one of the most influential black voices in American history. It is truly a Black Privilege and an honor to work for her. State of Emergency is going to immortalize her words and give black people a study guide that will help us navigate our way to true freedom."
Black Privilege Publishing will be managed for Atria Books by editor Nicholas Ciani and senior v-p and publisher Libby McGuire.
Ciani said, "There is no one better positioned to discover, cultivate, and elevate the next generation of art and leadership in Black and brown America than Charlamagne Tha God. I am thrilled to take this journey alongside him."
McGuire added: "Atria Books has had a longstanding commitment to publishing that reflects a wide range of cultures, experiences, and origins. Black Privilege Publishing is a big, bold step in continuing and expanding that tradition. I could not be more excited to partner with Charlamagne as he builds this new imprint and help in its development."