Linda Villarosa

Linda Villarosa (born 9 January 1959) is a former executive editor of Essence (magazine)^[1] and the New York Times. She has worked on health coverage for Science Times. She is also author of several books. Her first novel, Passing for Black, was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in 2008.^[2]

Personal life

Villarosa was born on 9 January 1959. Her mother Clara Villarosa is also an author, publisher and motivational speaker. Villarosa is a graduate of the University of Colorado and spent a year at Harvard University as a journalism fellow. She also earned a master's degree in urban journalism/digital storytelling in 2013 from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.^[3] She lives in Brooklyn with her partner, two children and pets.^[4]

Career

Linda Villarosa has covered women's and African-American health issues in The New York Times, The Root, O Magazine, Glamour, Health, Vibe and Woman’s Day. She was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Magazine Article category^[5], for an article in Essence Magazine titled "Pride and Prejudice." She is also a co-founder of Villarosa Media. Other co-founders are her mother Clara Villarosa and sister Alicia. In 2008,^[6] her first novel, Passing for Black, was published. She is author and co-author of three books, including Body & Soul: The Black Women’s Guide to Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being. Villarosa worked as a consultant to provide editorial expertise to companies and organizations like American Express Publishing and Meredith.^[4] She also directs the undergraduate journalism program at the City College of New York.^[7]

References