Last week saw the annual Anisfield-Wolf ceremony to recognize books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and human diversity. Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf established the book awards in 1935, in honor of her father, John Anisfield, and husband, Eugene Wolf, to reflect her family’s passion for social justice. Presented by the Cleveland Foundation, it remains the only American book prize focusing on works that address racism and diversity.

Twenty-six students went to the ceremony this year, including four generations of Anisfield-Wolf scholars. Karen Long, Manager of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, and her associate, Tara Pringle-Jefferson, who writes much of the content, manages social media, and the newsletter, also visited Dr Lisa Nielson’s First Seminar for a conversation about the ceremony.