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AWARDS

Zora Neale Hurston Award

The Zora Neale Hurston Award is the highest honor awarded annually by the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc.  This distinguished award is given in honor of folklorist/author Zora Neale Hurston. The award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the preservation and perpetuation of African American folklore.

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“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston

Honorees

2023

Lynette Ford     Reverend France Albert Davis     Betty O. Sawyer

2024

  • ​Clifford Bell (WNY)

  • Eslyn G. Hinmon (MD)

  • Dr. Barbara Nevergold (WNY) 

  • Dr. Peggy Brooks Bertram (WNY)

2022

  • Dr Rita Cox 

  • Janice Curtis

  • Greene (MD)

  • Howard Henderson

  • Akbar Imhotep (GA)

2019

  • Dr. MaryAnn Harris  (OH)

  • Bryan Stevenson  (AL)

2017

  • Patricia C. McKissack (posthumously)

2015

  • Willa Brigham (NC) 

  • Howard Dodson, PhD ( DC)     

  • Eloise Greenfield (DC)

2014

  • Haki R. Madhubuti (IL) 

  • Shanta Nurallah (IL) 

  • Jan Spivey Gilchrist (IL)

2023

  •  Betty Sawyer (UT)     

  •  Reverend France Albert Davis UT)              

  • Lynette Ford (OH)

2021

  • Vanora F Legaux  (LA)

2020

  • Mother Ruth Edmonds Hill

  • Martha Ruff     

  • Karen “Queen Nur” Abdul-Malik

2018

  • Beverly Fields Burnette (NC)

  • Mary Curtis (NC)

2016

  • Dr. Molefi Kete Asante (PA)

  • Dr. Charles L. Blockson (PA)

  • Dr. Rex Ellis (VA)

2013

  • ​Barbara Eady (OH)

  • Vusi and Nothando Zulu (MN)

2011

  • ​Fellisco Keeling (MD)

2010

  • Mitch "Gran' Daddy Junebug (NC)

2008

  • Sharon Draper (OH)

  • Dr. John Fleming (OH)

  • Alice McGill (MD)

  • Diane Williams (MS) 

2004

  • Dr. Daryl Cumber Dance (VA)

2012

  •  Karima Amin (NY)

  • Deborah Asante (IN)

  • Dr. Gladys Marie Fry (DC)

  • Dr. Joanne Martin (MD)

  • Dylan Pritchett (VA)

2009

  • Charlotte Blake Alston (PA)

  • Stanley "Bunjo" Butler (MD)

  • Sharon Jordan Holley (NY) 

2006

  • Clora Bryant (CA)

  • Jeannie & Jimmie Cheatham (CA)

2005

  • Diane Ferlatte (CA) 

  • Onawumi Jean Moss (MA) 

2002

  • ​Tejumola Ologboni (WI)

  • Caroliese Frink Reed (PA)         

2000

  • Dr. David Anderson (NY)

1998

  • Ossie & Ruby Davis (NY)

1996

  • Ella Jenkins (IL)

1994

  • Florence Brown-Hall (MI)

2001​

  •  Baba Jamal Koram (VA)  

1999

  • Eleanora E. Tate (NC)

  • Dr. John Hope Franklin (NC)

1997

  • Leon Bibb (OH)

1995

  • Catherine C. Blackwell, (MI)

1993

  • Mahmoud El-Kati (WI)

1991

  • Janie Hunter (SC)

  • Jackie Torrence (NC) 

1988

  • Augusta Baker Alexander (SC)

1986

  • Dr. William Faulkner (SC)

  • Dr. Hugh "Brother Blue" Morgan (MA)

  • Virginia Hamilton (OH) 

1992

  •  Oscar Brown, Jr (CA)

  • Dr. Ruthe Sheffey (MD

1990

  • Danny Barker (LA)

1987

  • Frank Smith (KY)

1985

  • Mary Carter Smith (MD)

  • Linda Goss (PA)

  • Paul Keens-Douglas (Trinidad)   

Other NABS Awards
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