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 the colonial rule, and the Nigerian Civil War which took the lives of 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 nineteen to complete her education at Drexel University. By 2008 she would study in three universities; Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University. She first published the poetry collection ''Decisions'' in 1997, which was followed by a play, ''For Love of Biafra'', in 1998, and would later publish three further novels, and four books. Adichie has cited African writers Chinua Achebe and Buchi Emecheta as inspirations.

Adichie grew up bilingual, and writes in English and Igbo language, describing it as a means to reach a broad audience, and retain both as her own. She has also supported LGBT rights in Africa, and in response to the 2021 controversial accusation about her sexuality, Adichie penned "It Is Obscene: A True Reflection in Three Parts". Published on her website in June of same year, it criticised the use of social media to air out grievances. Adichie is a Catholic and is married to Ivara Esege since 2009. She shares her time in the United States and Nigeria, where he teaches creative writing workshop.

Received numerous academic awards, fellowships, and honourary degrees, among them a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008 and an induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2017, Adichie's 2009 TED Talk "The Danger of a Single Story" is one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time. Her 2012 talk "We Should All Be Feminists", was sampled by Beyoncé and featured on a tee-shirt by the French fashion house Dior in 2016. 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. Her works has been extensively praised, and studied in many scholarly works. In addition to her writings, which includes numerous short stories, poetry, essays and children books, Adichie's speeches has also received attention. A titled Igbo chief, her style juxtaposes Western and African influences, particularly focusing on her own native Igbo language and culture. Most of her works explore the themes of religion, Americanization, immigration, racism, gender, marriage, feminism and femininity, motherhood and womanhood. Both her written works and public speaking encourage recognition of the diversity of humanity and the need for equality. Provided by Wikipedia