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.

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

Honorees

2025

Clarence Mollock
Valerie Tutson
Carol Alexander
Carolyn Carroll
Deborah Pierce-Fakunle
Dr. WIlliam H. Turner

2023

Betty Sawyer
Reverend France Albert Davis
Lynette Ford

2021

Vanora F Legaux

2020

Mother Ruth Edmonds Hill
Martha Ruff
Karen “Queen Nur” Abdul-Malik

2018

Beverly Fields Burnette
Mary Curtis

2016

Dr. Molefi Kete Asante
Dr. Charles L. Blockson
Dr. Rex Ellis

2024

Clifford Bell
Eslyn G. Hinmon
Dr. Barbara Nevergold
Dr. Peggy Brooks Bertram

2022

Dr Rita Cox
Janice Curtis Greene
Howard Henderson
Akbar Imhotep

2019

Dr. MaryAnn Harris
Bryan Stevenson

2017

Patricia C. McKissack (posthumously)

2015

Willa Brigham
Howard Dodson, PhD
Eloise Greenfield

2014

Haki R. Madhubuti
Shanta Nurallah
Jan Spivey Gilchrist

2013

Barbara Eady
Vusi and Nothando Zulu

2011

Fellisco Keeling

2010

Mitch "Gran' Daddy Junebug

2008

Sharon Draper
Dr. John Fleming
Alice McGill
Diane Williams

2004

Dr. Daryl Cumber Dance

2012

Karima Amin
Deborah Asante
Dr. Gladys Marie Fry
Dr. Joanne Martin
Dylan Pritchett

2009

Charlotte Blake Alston
Stanley "Bunjo" Butler
Sharon Jordan Holley

2006

Clora Bryant
Jeannie & Jimmie Cheatham

2005

Diane Ferlatte
Onawumi Jean Moss

2002

Tejumola Ologboni
Caroliese Frink Reed

2000

Dr. David Anderson

1998

Ossie & Ruby Davis

1996

Ella Jenkins

1994

Florence Brown-Hall

2001

Baba Jamal Koram

1999

Eleanora E. Tate
Dr. John Hope Franklin

1997

Leon Bibb

1995

Catherine C. Blackwell

1993

Mahmoud El-Kati

1991

Janie Hunter
Jackie Torrence

1988

Augusta Baker Alexander

1986

Dr. William Faulkner
Dr. Hugh "Brother Blue" Morgan
Virginia Hamilton

1992

Oscar Brown, Jr
Dr. Ruthe Sheffey

1990

Danny Barker

1987

Frank Smith

1985

Mary Carter Smith
Linda Goss
Paul Keens-Douglas

Other NABS Awards