Kevin Merida is an independent journalist, author and media executive. He is a contributing essayist for The Washington Post Opinions section, and a strategic advisor for the Academy Award-winning Breakwater Studios. 

Merida is the former executive editor of the Los Angeles Times. Under his leadership, the news organization won four Pulitzer Prizes and its first Oscar for the documentary short film, “The Last Repair Shop.” 

Before joining the Times in June 2021, Merida was a senior vice president at ESPN and editor in chief of The Undefeated (now Andscape), a multimedia platform that explores the intersections of race, sports, and culture. During his tenure at ESPN, he also oversaw the investigative/news enterprise unit, the shows “Outside the Lines” and “E60,” and chaired ESPN’s editorial board. While at ESPN, the journalism he helmed received three Sports Emmys. 

Before joining ESPN, Merida spent 22 years at the Washington Post in a variety of reporting, writing and leadership roles including managing editor for news and features coverage. As managing editor, he helped lead the Post to four Pulitzer Prizes. 

Merida is co-author of “Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas," “Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs,” and "Kamala: Her Historic, Joyful, and Auspicious Sprint to the White House." 

Merida is a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board and was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.