American writer Hanif Abdurraqib has been named the recipient of the 2026 Weston International Award, a prestigious accolade accompanied by a prize of $75,000. This award serves as a counterpart to the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction, an annual recognition given to a Canadian author for a singular work of nonfiction.
The Weston International Award honors the outstanding career achievements of an international author in the realm of nonfiction. To be eligible, international authors must have published a minimum of three books of exceptional literary quality within the genre of nonfiction, either in English or in widely available translations.
Hanif Abdurraqib, a renowned poet, essayist, and cultural critic, is celebrated for his insightful writings on music, sports, Black culture, and social justice. His notable works include “There’s Always This Year,” a poignant exploration of basketball, race, and American society that clinched the National Books Critics Circle Award. Additionally, his book “A Little Devil in America,” delves into Black performance and was honored with the Carnegie Medal. Abdurraqib’s collection of music-infused essays, “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us,” is also highly acclaimed.
Among his poetry collections are “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 a recipient of the Windham-Campbell Prize in 2024.
The selection of Hanif Abdurraqib as the Weston International Award winner was made by an esteemed international advisory committee and a Canadian jury. The international advisory committee comprised PBS arts correspondent Jeffery Brown, British Iranian author David Shariatmadari, and Nigerian author and publisher Lola Shoneyin. The Canadian jury included author Dean Jobb, filmmaker Chase Joynt, author Tess McWatt, scholar Christina Sharpe, and author Jenny Heijun Wills.
In a statement, the jury praised Abdurraqib’s unique ability to amplify the voices and experiences of Black individuals through various forms of expression such as music, performance, and sports. They commended his distinctive narrative style that challenges falsehoods, uplifts marginalized communities, and asserts the resilience and humanity encapsulated in “they can’t kill us until they kill us.”
Abdurraqib is scheduled to deliver a talk at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto on September 14, where he will delve into his career and creative works. Tickets for this event can be obtained through the official Weston International Award website. Last year’s recipient of the award was American author Leslie Jamison.
The Writers’ Trust of Canada, a charitable organization established in 1976 by literary icons including Margaret Atwood and Pierre Berton, is dedicated to supporting, promoting, and honoring Canadian writers. The organization offers a wide array of programs, including 11 national literary awards, financial grants, career development opportunities for emerging writers, and a writers’ retreat.
