Itoro Bassey is an acclaimed author and journalist celebrated for transforming lived experiences into powerful narratives. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Massachusetts by Nigerian immigrants, she grew up immersed in a rich tapestry of perspectives that have enriched her distinctive voice. Later, making California and Vermont her home deepened her understanding of identity and the distinct ways in which people connect and disconnect.

Her academic journey laid a strong foundation for her storytelling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies, with a Theatre minor, from Smith College and completed her Masters in Teaching at Marlboro College—now known as the Marlboro Institute at Emerson. These formative years sharpened her intellectual rigor and nurtured her sensitivity to the interplay between performance, education, and narrative, elements that lie at the heart of her work.

Itoro has been honored with fellowships from the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study, the Edward Albee Foundation, and the Vermont Studio Center, among others. In 2018, she spent five transformative years living and traveling through Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia—a journey that deepened her understanding of what it means to belong to a larger diaspora. During this period, she remained on the continent, embarking on an odyssey that allowed her to uncover the insights she needed to understand her legacy, the people she loves, and her path forward.

Her work has been featured in outlets like The BBC, The Independent, Lithub, and Arise News, and she has been published in literary journals that include Catapult, Slice, and Hippocampus, with forthcoming pieces in Fence and Callaloo. Her debut novel, Faith, published by Malarkey Books in 2022, is a stirring exploration of intergenerational trauma, immigration, and the resilient power of hope.

Looking ahead, her highly anticipated short story collection, Ajebutter Women—set for release in the spring of 2027 by Regal House Publishing—delves into the lives of women of Nigerian origin in search of belonging while navigating the complexities of class, identity, and familial expectation.