The competition, hosted in partnership with the Poetry Foundation and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, continues a tradition established by Brooks in 1969. This year’s entries delve into complex themes of heritage, identity, and the natural world, offering a candid look at the perspectives of the next generation. Gabrielle H. Lyon, executive director of Illinois Humanities, noted that the program’s longevity proves the necessity of providing young people with a dedicated space to share their voices.
Illinois Students Honored in 10th Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Awards
Thirty-nine students from across Illinois have been named winners of the 10th Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards. Selected from over 1,000 entries, the recognized poets range from kindergarten through high school, marking the largest submission class since the program was revived by Illinois Humanities in 2017.
Winners hail from diverse communities including Peoria, Naperville, Skokie, and Chicago. Each honoree receives a monetary prize and publication in an annual chapbook. The cohort will be formally celebrated on September 19 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts in Chicago, where they will have the opportunity to perform their work before an audience.
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