Tuesday, January 10, 2012

20 Years of Awards & Recognition in Poetry, 1992-2012

I was recently writing that African American poets have been highly accomplished over the last few decades. Below, I provide a brief--not comprehensive--list of 20 awards and recognitions that poets have received over the last 20 years.

1992: Derek Walcott awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

1993: Maya Angelou reads poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at inauguration of Bill Clinton.

1993: Rita Dove appointed Poet Laureate of U.S.

1993: Kevin Young is National Poetry Series recipient.

1994: Yusef Komunyakaa wins Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

1999: Ai wins the National Book Award for Poetry for Vice: New and Selected Poems.

2000: Lucille Clifton wins the National Book Award for Poetry.

2001: Yusef Komunyakaa awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.

2001: Terrance Hayes is National Poetry Series recipient.

2001: Sonia Sanchez is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2002: Amiri Baraka appointed Poet Laureate of New Jersey.

2004: Tyehimba Jess is National Poetry Series recipient.

2005: Patricia Smith is National Poetry Series recipient.

2007: Lucille Clifton awarded the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize.

2007: Natasha Trethewey awarded Pulitzer Prize for Poetry

2008: Michael S. Harper is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2009: Elizabeth Alexander reads "Praise Song for the Day" at inauguration of Barack Obama.

2010: Terrance Hayes wins National Book Award for Poetry.

2010: Lucille Clifton is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2011: Nikky Finney wins National Book Award for Poetry

2011: Sonia Sanchez appointed Poet Laureate of Philadelphia.

2012: Marilyn Nelson is awarded the Robert Frost Medal.

2012: Tracy K. Smith awarded Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

2012: Natasha Trethewey is appointed Mississippi's Poet Laureate.

2012: Natasha Trethewey is announced as the new U.S. Poet Laureate.

2013: Natasha Trethewey is reappointed as the U.S. Poet Laureate.

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