The Power List: Melissa Harris-Perry Is Set To Bring Real Talk TO MSNBC

Melissa Harris-Perry, the Tulane professor and public intellectual, first landed on most people's radars as a pundit and occasional fill-in host for Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.

But Harris-Perry, who used to to teach at Princeton and whose book about the political lives of black women, Sister Citizen, was nominated for an NAACP award, was so well-received that MSNBC decided to give her a show of her own.

"I am really thrilled about this opportunity," she told BlackVoices. "I know it sounds hokey, but it is
legitimately inspiring to be part of team of people I respect so much."

Not that Perry's going to be giving up the academic life. "I am able to continue my teaching, research, and life in New Orleans during the week, and head to New York on the weekends. It's an ideal circumstance for me. All I've even wanted to be is a teacher. Now my classroom is just a lot bigger...and has better lighting!"

Check out Harris-Perry on "The Colbert Report" discussing stereotypes about black women in America.