Melissa Harris-Perry Biography
Melissa Harris-Perry formerly known as Melissa Victoria Harris-Lacewell is an American writer, professor, television host, and political commentator. She has a focus on African-American politics. From 2012 to February 27, 2016, she hosted the Melissa Harris-Perry weekend news and opinion television show on MSNBC.
She attended Wake Forest University from where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. She also earned a Ph.D. in political science from Duke University. Harris-Perry received an honorary doctorate from Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is studying for a Master of Divinity in theology at Union Theological Seminary of Columbia University.
Melissa Harris-Perry Age
Melissa Victoria Harris was born on October 2, 1973, in Seattle, Washington, U.S. She is 45 years old as of 2018.
Melissa Harris-Perry Family | Parents
Melissa was born to William M. Harris Sr. who is black, and Diana Gray who is white. William M. Harris Sr. was the first dean of African-American Affairs at the University of Virginia. Her mother taught at a community college and was working on her doctorate when she met her father. She also worked for non-profit organizations that provided services such as day-care centers, health care for people in rural communities, and access to reproductive care for poor women.
Melissa Harris-Perry Husband
From 1999 to 2005, Melissa was married to Dennis Lacewell. She got married to James Perry in 2010. The Winston-Salem Journal reported that the IRS had placed a tax lien on the property of Harris-Perry and her husband for about $70,000 in delinquent taxes. On April 15, 2015, Melissa and her husband paid $21,721 and also have a payment plan with the IRS.
Melissa Harris-Perry Children
Melissa gave birth to her 1st child at age 28, a daughter Parker Lacewell in 2002 with her then-husband Dennis Lacewell. She welcomed her second child, a daughter on February 14, 2014 via surrogate with her second husband James Perry.
Melissa Harris Perry Show
MSNBC announced on January 5, 2012, that Harris-Perry would host a weekend morning show. The show Melissa Harris-Perry, titled after her, began airing on February 18, 2012.
She was criticized in early 2013 by some political commentators for statements she made on her program related to collective parenting. Melissa apologized on December 31, 2013, for a “photos of the year” segment on December 28, 2013. It included jokes about a family picture featuring former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s family, including his adopted black grandson.
What Happened To Melissa Harris Perry MSNBC?
Melissa sent an email to co-workers on February 26, 2016 that she would not host her show on MSNBC for the coming weekend. She stated that: “Our show was taken—without comment or discussion or notice—in the midst of an election season […] I will not be used as a tool for [management’s] purposes […] I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head.”
Her show was still scheduled to air as usual on Saturday but she chose not to return. Harris-Perry said she would only return when she could do “substantive, meaningful and autonomous work.” Her public dispute with NBC led to discussions between the network and her representatives about ending her relationship with MSNBC. NBC confirmed on February 28, 2016 that she was leaving the network.
Melissa Harris-Perry Book
- Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America – 2011
- Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought – 2004
Melissa Harris-Perry Wake Forest
Melissa returned to Wake Forest as the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair Professor of Politics and International Affairs on July 1, 2014. She is also the founding director of the Anna Julia Cooper Center.
Melissa Harris-Perry Net Worth
Though Harris is said to have acquired some quite good wealth through her wide career, her net worth uis not yet disclosed.
