Lori L. Tharps
Lori L. Tharps is an assistant professor of journalism at Temple University. A graduate of Smith College and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, Tharps spent more than a decade as a magazine professional working on staff at both Vibe and Entertainment Weekly and freelancing for such publications as Essence, Vibe Vixen and Suede. Tharps' recent work can be seen in the Columbia Journalism Review, Grid Philadelphia, Ebony.com and Vogue Black. Tharps is also the author of two critically acclaimed nonfiction books, Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America (St. Martin's) and Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain (Atria). Both The Washington Post and Salon.com declared Kinky Gazpacho one of the best books of 2008. Tharps is also the author of the novel, Substitute Me (Atria). In February 2014 St. Martin's Press will be releasing an updated version of Hair Story. Tharps lives in Philadelphia with her husband and three children.
