American writer Hanif Abdurraqib has been awarded the 2026 Weston International Award, a prestigious prize of $75,000. This award complements the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction, which is given annually to a Canadian writer for a single nonfiction work. The Weston International Award acknowledges the outstanding career achievements of an international writer in the nonfiction genre. Eligible writers must have published a minimum of three books of exceptional literary quality in English or widely available translations.
Abdurraqib, a poet, essayist, and cultural critic, is recognized for his insightful writings on music, sports, Black culture, and social justice. His notable works include “There’s Always This Year,” exploring basketball, race, and American society, which received the National Books Critics Circle Award. He also penned “A Little Devil in America,” focusing on Black performance and honored with the Carnegie Medal, and “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us,” a collection of music-infused essays. In addition, Abdurraqib has published poetry collections titled “The Crown Ain’t Worth Much” and “A Fortune for Your Disaster.”
Having been named a MacArthur Fellow in 2021 and a recipient of the Windham-Campbell Prize in 2024, Abdurraqib hails from Columbus, Ohio. The selection of Abdurraqib as the Weston International Award winner was made by an international advisory committee, which included PBS arts correspondent Jeffery Brown, British Iranian author David Shariatmadari, and Nigerian author Lola Shoneyin, along with a Canadian jury comprising Dean Jobb, Chase Joynt, Tess McWatt, Christina Sharpe, and Jenny Heijun Wills.
The jury praised Abdurraqib’s ability to capture the essence of Black life through various forms of expression, such as performance, music, and sports, in a unique and authoritative manner. They highlighted his commitment to shedding light on societal issues, uplifting marginalized voices, and emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity. Abdurraqib’s work seamlessly weaves together themes of Black identity, social justice, love, and mortality, reflecting a profound connection to people, places, and global issues.
Abdurraqib is scheduled to deliver a talk at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto on Sept. 14, where he will delve into his career and works. Tickets for the event can be purchased on the Weston International Award website. Leslie Jamison, an American author, was the recipient of the award in the previous year.
The Writers’ Trust of Canada, established in 1976 by literary figures such as Margaret Atwood, Pierre Berton, Graeme Gibson, Margaret Laurence, and David Young, is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting and honoring Canadian writers and literature. The organization offers various initiatives, including 11 national literary awards, financial assistance, career development opportunities for emerging writers, and a writers’ retreat.