James McBride is an American author, musician, and journalist, best known for his memoir, The Color of Water, which explores his experiences growing up as a biracial child in a predominantly white community. Born on September 11, 1957, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, he is the son of a Black father and a Jewish mother, which deeply influenced his writing and perspective on race and identity. In addition to his memoir, McBride has written several novels, including The Good Lord Bird, which won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2013. He is also a talented musician, having played the saxophone and composed music for various projects. McBride's work often reflects themes of family, faith, and the complexities of American life.