Michelle Singletary is the personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, whose nationally syndicated work plays a crucial role in consumer advocacy and financial literacy in American journalism. Over more than thirty years, she has become one of the most trusted voices in the field, known for her ability to simplify complex economic topics into clear, practical advice for the public.

Her contributions to the field have been recognized with the industry’s most prestigious awards, including the 2022 Gerald Loeb Lifetime Achievement Award, which is the “Oscar” of business journalism. Ms. Singletary is also a two-time recipient of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Award for Commentary and received the 2023 NABJ Legacy Award for her lasting impact on the profession. In 2020, she was honored with the Eugene Meyer Award, the highest journalistic honor awarded by The Washington Post.

An accomplished author, Ms. Singletary has published four influential books, including The 21-Day Financial Fast and What to Do With Your Money When a Crisis Hits. Her expertise is frequently sought by major media outlets, with regular appearances on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and NPR.
Beyond her editorial work, she is the founder and director of Prosperity Partners Ministry, a program at her church dedicated to economic empowerment. Along with her husband, she remains committed to community service by volunteering to teach money management skills within the Maryland correctional system. Singletary holds a master’s degree in business and management from Johns Hopkins University and was inducted into the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism Hall of Fame in 2024.

Michelle Singletary spoke to NPF Long-Term Care Crisis Reporting fellows October 4, 2023 about long-term care insurance and costs.

Singletary also briefed journalists in April 2026: Covering Inflation’s Crushing Impact on Women’s Retirement Security.