Heben Nigatu

Heben Nigatu is an Ethiopian-American writer and the former co-host of BuzzFeed podcast Another Round which stopped broadcasting in 2017. She previously wrote for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and is currently a staff writer for Desus & Mero on Showtime.

Early life and education
Nigatu was born in Ethiopia.

She grew up in Northern Virginia and attended Columbia University before leaving to join BuzzFeed.

Career
Nigatu began working at BuzzFeed first on a three-month fellowship while still a student, then joined the full-time staff.

Another Round
In March 2015, Nigatu and co-host Tracy Clayton launched BuzzFeed podcast ''Another Round. The Onion A.V. Club'' described Nigatu and Clayton as "funny and insightful hosts, bringing their infectious personalities to conversations that range from squirrels to self-care to microaggressions in the workplace." The Guardian called them "the smartest, funniest women in the room and everyone wants to sit at their table"; likewise writing for The Guardian, critic Sasha Frere-Jones described Clayton and Nigatu "leading American cultural critics." In its first year, Another Round was rated by iTunes, Slate, Vulture, and The Atlantic as a "Best of 2015" podcast.

In late 2017, Nigatu and Clayton announced that BuzzFeed had decided to stop producing Another Round, but the two hosts were granted ownership of the show and plan to continue it outside BuzzFeed, after a hiatus.

Post-BuzzFeed
In April 2016, after three and a half years working for BuzzFeed, Nigatu announced she was moving to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but would continue hosting Another Round. She continued at The Late Show until January 2017.

On 15 February 2019, it was announced that Nigatu was a staff writer for Desus & Mero, the comedy duo's 2019 late night show on Showtime.

#CarefreeBlackKids2k16
In the wake of the 2016 police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Nigatu created the hashtag #CarefreeBlackKids2k16. Blavity described the photos and videos accompanying the hashtag "the bright light we needed after this troubling week."

Honors

 * Forbes, 30 Under 30 (2016)
 * Fast Company, Most Creative People (2016)
 * The Root, The Root 100 (2016)

Personal life
Nigatu lives in Brooklyn.