Edith Anisfield-Wolf, a Jewish poet and philanthropist based in Cleveland, founded the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards out of a belief among Jewish communities called “tikkun olam,” which is Hebrew for “world repair.”
“Yes, you may have literacy issues that exist, but a book is something that would be sat on any table and can invite someone to read it,” Nicholas Roman Lewis, director of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, said. “A book can change your mind, change your heart, change the way you think about things and ultimately change the world.”
Founded in 1935, the only American award that focuses on race and diversity has become a point of pride for Cleveland residents. The Anisfield-Wolf awards have been managed by the world’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, since 1963. Prior to then, the sponsor was the Saturday Review, an American weekly magazine.
“This award was created to try to do something to repair the world,” Lewis said. “[That original mission] has always been here.”
Since its establishment, the award has recognized several renowned figures in literature and social justice, including Toni Morrison, Martin Luther King Jr. and Langston Hughes.
Ralph Ellison, who was awarded in the “Landmark Achievement” category in 1992, is best known for his first — and only — novel, Invisible Man, which details a nameless narrator’s new life in Harlem. The book itself is considered an allegory for what it means to be a Black American and it has since been deemed an “essential American classic.”
“There are lots of people who just love this award, so I could feel the community around this award, I could feel that literally the first week I got here — people were excited,” Lewis said.
Lewis began his role as director on February 5, 2024 after Karen Long, the former director, held the position for 11 years. Lewis said the transitional period brought about “a great energy.”
This excitement is shared by Lewis’ colleagues, too. Valentino Zullo is the Anisfield-Wolf postdoctoral fellow in English and public humanities at Ursuline College, which is just outside Cleveland. He finds pride in the fact the award was established in his hometown.
Zullo explained that in order for a book to be considered for the awards, it must first address diversity or racism in the United States. From there, five judges with literary and teaching backgrounds at various universities select the best examples from four categories: poetry, fiction, nonfiction and lifetime achievement. Winners are typically announced annually during the spring.
Zullo said the judges try to pick works that can stand alone, despite what national conversations might be taking place.
“They want to pick books that will have a lasting impact,” Zullo said. “They want to create a canon that represents the U.S. … a collection of books that will be read for as long as possible.”
In doing this, the awards seek to recognize authors who might otherwise be underrepresented in generalized awards, while also drawing attention to topics of diversity. In a time where Americans are more politically-divided than ever, books might serve as a unifying factor.
“When you are talking over a book, you automatically share something together, which you may or may not have before that, so it creates an interesting bit of communication when two people meet to have a conversation about something they might disagree on,” Zullo said.
The organizers hope the impact of the award spans beyond the awards ceremony and into the ways people experience the world around them.
“It’s not just celebrating the author and having one night, it is taking their knowledge and translating that into doing something purposeful and positive in one’s life,” Lewis said.
As an author myself, I am delighted to learn of this important award. Any endeavor that supports world repair is worth recognition, not only in times like these but in the long term. Thank you for bringing this unique program to the forefront.