Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ( Adichie's name has been pronounced a variety of ways in English. This transcription attempts to best approximate the Igbo pronunciation for English-speaking readers.}}; born 15 September 1977) is a Nigerian writer and public speaker who is regarded as a central figure in postcolonial feminist literature. She is the author of the award-winning novels ''Purple Hibiscus'' (2003), ''Half of a Yellow Sun'' (2006) and ''Americanah'' (2013). Her other works include the book essays ''We Should All Be Feminists'' (2014); ''Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions'' (2017); a memoir tribute to her father, ''Notes on Grief'' (2021); and a children's book, ''Mama's Sleeping Scarf'' (2023).

Born in Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria, Adichie's childhood was influenced by the aftermath of colonial rule and by the Nigerian Civil War, which killed both of her grandfathers, and was the setting for her first novel and the subject of her second. She was educated at the University of Nigeria and moved to the United States at the age of nineteen to undertake higher education at Drexel University. She studied at three universities; Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University. She published the poetry collection ''Decisions'' in 1997, followed by a play, ''For Love of Biafra'', in 1998. Adichie has cited African writers Chinua Achebe and Buchi Emecheta as inspirations.

Adichie grew up bilingually and writes in English and Igbo, describing this approach as a means to reach a broad audience, and to retain both languages as her own. She is a titled Igbo chief, and her style juxtaposes Western and African influences, particularly focusing on her own Igbo culture. Most of her works explore the themes of religion, Americanization, immigration, racism, gender, marriage, feminism and femininity, motherhood and womanhood. Adichie advocates using fashion as a medium to break down stereotypes and was recognised for her "Wear Nigerian Campaign" with a Shorty Award in 2018. In addition to her writings, which include numerous short stories, poetry, essays and children's books, Adichie's speeches have also received attention. Her written works and public speaking encourage recognition of the diversity of humanity and the need for equality. Her published works have been extensively praised and scholarly studied.

Adichie's 2009 TED Talk "The Danger of a Single Story" is one of the most viewed TED Talks. Her 2012 talk "We Should All Be Feminists" was sampled by Beyoncé and featured on a T-shirt by the French fashion house Dior in 2016. Adichie has received numerous academic awards, fellowships, and other honours, among them a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008 and induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2017. Provided by Wikipedia