Jamelle Bouie to Speak at Grinnell College MLK Day Celebration

Grinnell College is excited to welcome Jamelle Bouie, one of the nation’s most influential political journalists and historians of public life, as the featured speaker for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. Bouie, an opinion columnist for The New York Times, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Herrick Chapel. The event is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the wider community. 

Bouie is widely recognized for bringing historical depth and clarity to contemporary political debates, particularly on issues of democracy, race, and power in the United States. His visit anchors Grinnell’s MLK Day programming, which invites the campus and community to reflect on the enduring legacy of Dr. King and the ongoing work of justice, civic engagement, and democratic renewal. 

Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Bouie has been a columnist for The New York Times since 2019, where he covers U.S. politics and history. His work frequently examines how the nation’s past — including slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the long struggle for civil rights — shapes present-day political conflicts. His columns are regularly cited by journalists, scholars, and policymakers seeking deeper understanding of the forces influencing American democracy. 

In recent years, Bouie has received rare cross-disciplinary recognition for his work. In 2025, he earned awards from both the American Political Science Association, which cited his major journalistic contributions to society’s understanding of politics, and the American Historical Association, which honored him for promoting public historical literacy. Receiving top honors from both organizations in the same year is an uncommon distinction and underscores the scholarly rigor and public impact of his journalism. 

Bouie’s writing has addressed pivotal moments and movements in modern American history, including the killing of Trayvon Martin, the Ferguson uprising, the Charleston church shooting, and the Black Lives Matter movement. He has also contributed essays to landmark collections such as “Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619–2019 and The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story.” In 2021, he received the prestigious Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism, and in 2024 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Before joining The New York Times, Bouie served as chief political correspondent for Slate and wrote for The American Prospect and The Daily Beast. He is also the co-host of the podcast Unclear and Present Danger, which examines the politics and cultural legacy of post-Cold War thrillers. A University of Virginia graduate, Bouie is known as well for his photography and his creative use of platforms such as TikTok to reach broad audiences.  

Bouie’s visit reflects Grinnell College’s emphasis on rigorous inquiry, civic engagement, and the preparation of students to confront complex global and societal challenges. By bringing nationally recognized thinkers to campus, the College advances its commitment to academic excellence, inclusive dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas — core values that align closely with Dr. King’s vision of an engaged and informed citizenry. 

The MLK Day lecture also underscores Grinnell’s role as a hub for public learning in central Iowa. By opening the event to the broader community, the College strengthens connections beyond campus and creates space for shared reflection on pressing social and political questions. 

The event is sponsored by the Rosenfield Program, the President’s Office, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

All are welcome to attend this evening of reflection, learning, and community as Grinnell College honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and engages with the ideas shaping American democracy today.