Asha Bandele

Asha Bandele is an award-winning author, poet, journalist, and activist whose work explores themes of love, justice, healing, and resilience. She first gained national recognition with her debut memoir, The Prisoner’s Wife, a deeply moving account of her relationship and marriage to a man incarcerated for a violent crime. The book offered an intimate, humanizing portrait of life and love within the confines of the U.S. prison system.

Her second memoir, Something Like Beautiful: One Single Mother’s Story, continues her personal journey, addressing motherhood, depression, and the struggle to reclaim joy. Bandele has also published two collections of poetry—Absence in the Palms of My Hands and The Subtle Art of Breathing—as well as a novel, Daughter, which explores the generational impacts of trauma and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

In 2018, she co-authored the New York Times bestselling memoir When They Call You a Terrorist with Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. The book serves as a powerful reflection on systemic injustice and the personal roots of political activism.

In addition to her literary work, bandele has been a passionate advocate for racial equity, criminal justice reform, and drug policy change. She has served as a senior editor at Essence magazine and held a leadership role at the Drug Policy Alliance, where she oversaw grassroots grantmaking efforts. Her writing has been featured in major outlets including The New York Times, The Nation, Vibe, and Ebony.

Asha bandele lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is the proud mother of her daughter, Nisa. Through both her words and her activism, she continues to inspire and challenge audiences around the world.