Andrea Elliott
Andrea Elliott is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist whose works often delve into the complexities of urban life. Her articles, books, and other works frequently explore themes such as poverty, homelessness, and other social issues that face urban areas. Through her research, Elliott has provided noteworthy insight into the struggles faced by lower-income and minority communities.
Elliott's writing career began as a staff writer and editor for The New York Times. Her reporting spanned over the course of 12 years and included coverage of a broad range of topics such as politics, education, and social issues. Her articles earned her multiple awards, including two Pulitzer Prizes for feature writing.
In 2006, Elliott made the shift from print to digital media, becoming a contributor to ProPublica, the Pulitzer Prize-winning online outlet for investigative journalism. At ProPublica, Elliott reported extensively on the struggles that homeless individuals face in New York City. This work ultimately led to her first book, Invisible Child: A Story of Triumph Over Neglect, which follows a girl named Dasani, who resides in a homeless shelter with her family. The book provides an intimate look at issues of poverty, hunger and need in the city. It captured the hearts of readers and received critical acclaim, earning the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and being listed among The New York Times notable books of the year.
In 2013, Elliott released her second book, The Jihad Next Door, which takes a deep dive into the story of one young man's journey from being an all-American kid in Maryland to becoming a terrorist. This work offers an array of characters, from the jihadi recruiters who are luring youngsters toward violence to FBI agents tasked with stopping them.
Elliott has since returned to contributing to The New York Times, where she focuses on equity in education. Her articles have brought attention to the disparities in funding, resources and opportunities for students in the city's public schools, earning the George Polk Award for Education Reporting. Elliott has also co-edited two books on the education system in New York City and regularly speaks at educational institutions across the nation.
In addition to writing and editing, Elliott is an experienced teacher. She has taught at Columbia University's School of Journalism as well as The New School. Elliott also founded and runs her own writing workshop, Living Classroom, which helps New York City high school students learn how to report and tell stories.
Elliott's writing has been widely praised for its ability to deeply examine the issues that are often overlooked in urban settings. With her dedication to understanding complex topics and her commitment to exploring the most pressing issues facing the city, Elliott is an invaluable resource to readers seeking to broaden their knowledge of urban life.
