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United States Damon Young is a renowned writer, critic, and humorist known for his insightful commentary on Black identity and culture.
Co-founded by Damon Young with Panama Jackson, VSB was a website featuring essays on pop culture, politics, and absurdist humor for an African-American audience. It was acquired by Gizmodo Media Group in 2016 and is now a vertical on The Root.
Damon Young signed a two-book publishing deal with HarperCollins' Ecco imprint in November 2016, leading to the release of his debut memoir, 'What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker' in 2019.
Damon Young is a columnist for GQ, contributing his writings on various topics, including culture and identity.
Young is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, sharing his insights on contemporary issues.
Damon Young joined The Washington Post Magazine in January 2022 as a weekly contributing columnist.
Damon Young was born on December 30, 1978, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and spent his early years in East Liberty before moving to Penn Hills. A talented basketball player, he earned a scholarship to Canisius College, where he graduated in 2002 with a degree in English. This academic background laid the foundation for his career in writing and cultural commentary. In 2008, Young co-founded Very Smart Brothas (VSB) with D. Marcellus Wright, known by his pen name Panama Jackson. VSB became a significant platform for essays on pop culture, politics, and humor, specifically tailored for an African-American audience.
Young’s career advanced significantly when Gizmodo Media Group acquired VSB in 2016, integrating it as a vertical on The Root website. This expanded his reach and influence. He became a columnist for GQ and a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, showcasing his versatility and sharp analytical skills. In January 2022, Young joined The Washington Post Magazine as a weekly contributing columnist. His debut memoir, “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker: A Memoir in Essays,” was released in March 2019 by HarperCollins’ Ecco imprint. This book, a collection of personal essays exploring race, gender, class, and Black identity, garnered critical acclaim, with Publishers Weekly noting his “charm and wit” and “candid approach.”
The book’s success was further cemented when it won the prestigious 2020 Thurber Prize for American Humor. Reviewers praised Young’s ability to combine introspection with a critical examination of systemic racism and resilience. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette highlighted its balance as “a deeply introspective account of a life and an astute critique of the contours along which black people survive the limitations of historic and systemic racism.” Young’s contributions to cultural discourse were recognized by Ebony, which included him in its Power 100 2017 list under the Luminaries category. He continues to live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and two children, and is slated to release another book, “That’s How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black American Humor,” in 2025.
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