American writer Hanif Abdurraqib has been awarded the 2026 Weston International Award, a prestigious accolade accompanied by a prize of $75,000. The award, which complements the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction given annually to a Canadian author, acknowledges the outstanding career achievements of international authors in the nonfiction genre. To qualify for the Weston International Award, authors from around the world must have published a minimum of three books of exceptional literary quality in English or widely available translations.
Renowned as a poet, essayist, and cultural critic, Abdurraqib is acclaimed for his insightful commentary on music, sports, Black culture, and social justice issues. Among his notable works are “There’s Always This Year,” a poignant exploration of basketball, race, and American society that earned him the National Books Critics Circle Award. Additionally, “A Little Devil in America,” a captivating discourse on Black performance, was honored with the Carnegie Medal, while “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” stands out as a music-infused collection of essays. His poetic collections include “The Crown Ain’t Worth Much” and “A Fortune for Your Disaster.”
Abdurraqib, a native of Columbus, Ohio, was recognized as a MacArthur Fellow in 2021 and received the Windham-Campbell Prize in 2024. His selection as the recipient of the Weston International Award was made by an esteemed international advisory committee comprising PBS arts correspondent Jeffery Brown, British Iranian author and Guardian literary editor David Shariatmadari, and Nigerian author and literary festival director Lola Shoneyin. The Canadian jury included author and professor Dean Jobb, nonfiction writer and filmmaker Chase Joynt, author Tess McWatt, author and scholar Christina Sharpe, and author Jenny Heijun Wills.
Describing Abdurraqib’s work as a powerful celebration of Black life through the realms of performance, music, and athleticism, the jury praised his distinct voice in shedding light on societal issues and amplifying marginalized voices. His ability to interweave personal narratives with broader themes of social justice and identity resonates deeply with readers, offering profound insights into the complexities of Blackness and social inequality in America.
Abdurraqib will share insights into his career and creative process during a talk at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto on September 14. Interested attendees can secure tickets via the Weston International Award website. Last year’s recipient of the award was American author Leslie Jamison. The Writers’ Trust of Canada, established in 1976 by literary luminaries such as Margaret Atwood and Pierre Berton, is dedicated to supporting and celebrating Canadian writers through various initiatives, including literary awards, financial grants, and career development programs.