Debra Dickerson

A former fellow at the New American Foundation, national correspondent for Salon and senior editor at U.S. News & World Report, Debra Dickerson graduated from Harvard Law School and spent 12 years in Air Force intelligence. Her memoir, "An American Story," spent time on The New York Times best seller list last year.

Her work has appeared in The New Republic, The Washington Post, Talk, Slate, Salon, Essence, and Vibe, and has been featured in "Best American Essays." Last year, she won the New York Association of Black Journalists' first-place award for personal commentary. At the New America Foundation, Dickerson is publishing articles on race and poverty issues, and is developing and moderating a series of panel discussions on the same topics.