Richard Prince at Journal-isms reports that Nia-Malika Henderson will join the Washington Post and move on from her reporting position wit the wildly-popular Washington website Politico.com.
Her new beat is quite interesting and unusual. As said in the official Washington Post memo, “Nia will focus her reporting on the First Family, and mine the intersection of politics and culture in Washington. What is going on in this town that is new and different since the Obama administration arrived? What are the key friendships that help explain the Obamas’ lives in the federal city? Nia will explore political relationships, social Washington, and the connections between those in power and those who seek it.”
Here is the full memo:
We are excited to announce that Nia-Malika Henderson, one of the rising stars of her generation, will join the National staff as a political writer.
Nia will focus her reporting on the First Family, and mine the intersection of politics and culture in Washington. What is going on in this town that is new and different since the Obama administration arrived? What are the key friendships that help explain the Obamas’ lives in the federal city? Nia will explore political relationships, social Washington, and the connections between those in power and those who seek it.
We expect her to have a strong presence online, but also in print, and to coordinate closely with Robin Givhan, Style’s extraordinary columnist and observer of Michelle Obama and the East Wing.
Jumping ahead, we expect Nia to play a significant role in our coverage of the 2012 presidential campaign, which will gain speed quickly next year.
Nia comes to us from Politico, where she has been a White House reporter covering the East Wing, education, and the threads that link race, culture and politics. She is a frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC, TV One and other broadcast outlets. Before Politico, Nia covered the Obama campaign for Newsday and Annapolis city government for the Baltimore Sun. She has degrees from Duke, Yale and Columbia, only one of which has a major basketball program.
Those who have been around for a few years will remember Nia from the
Post’s outstanding 2005 summer intern class that included Phil Rucker,Michael Alison Chandler and Nick Miroff.
Let’s welcome Nia back home on April 26.
