Max Rodriguez, publisher and founder of the Quarterly Black Book Review (QBR) and the Harlem Book Fair, presented a culturally enlightening and creatively inspiring literary event with the 14th Annual Phyllis Wheatley Book Award Program. The evening began with a reception for the author finalists that included an interview by program host Sheila E. Anderson, author of “The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac” and host of Weekend Jazz After Hours on WBGO-FM, with Benilde Little, author of “Welcome to My Breakdown: A Memoir” and “Good Hair: A Novel.”
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- NWU Finalists Jo Anne Meekins & Malik Canty
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- Author reception attendees
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- QBR/ Harlem Book Fair Founder Max Rodriguez
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- Sheila Anderson & Benilde Little
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- Sherri Pullum, Chantal Maurice, and Vesta Walker
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- Winner of First Fiction Nigeria Lockley
The Awards Program included uplifting ancestral performances by Atiba Wilson & the Befo’ Quotet; singer Imani Uzuri; and a spoken word excerpt “From Ashes to Angels” by Sherri Pullum, Chantal Maurice, and Vesta Walker.
The seven Phyllis Wheatley Book Award winners from the 2015 Finalists are:
YOUNG READERS
- Granny’s Helper by Selma Jackson
YOUNG ADULT
- The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis
FIRST NONFICTION
- Regina Anderson, Harlem Renaissance Librarian by Ethelene Whitmire
NONFICTION
POETRY
- City of Eternal Spring by Afaa Michael Weaver
FIRST FICTION
- Born at Dawn by Nigeria Lockley
FICTION
- Land of Love and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique
PHYLLIS WHEATLEY LEGACY AWARD WINNERS
- Nikki Giovanni
- Jerry Pinkney
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- Nikki Giovanni
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- Nikki speaks via video chat
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- Jerry Pinkney
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- Jerry’s Illustrations
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- Son & Daughter-in-law present award
NWU is the sole provider of IFJ Press Passes to freelance journalists in the U.S.