Ta-Nehisi Coates to Present W. Paul Coates the Literarian Award at 2024 National Book Awards

Mar. 15, 2025

Ta-Nehisi Coates will present his dad, W. Paul Coates, with a lifetime achievement award.Photo:Elias Williams/for The Washington Post via Getty

Elias Williams/for The Washington Post via Getty

W. Paul Coatesis being honored for his extensive contributions to literary society.

Dr.Maya Angelou, Terry Gross, Kyle Zimmer, the literary organizationCave Canem, Doron Weber, Oren J. Teicher, Carolyn Reidy, Nancy Pearl, Tracie D. Hall and most recently, Paul Yamazaki, are among the past recipients.

Past winner Maya Angelou.WireImage / Getty Images

The official ceremony will take place on Nov. 20 at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner, theNational Book Foundationsaid in a press release.

“Over the course of his career, W. Paul Coates has recovered and discovered countless essential works of Black literature, and readers everywhere have reaped the benefits of his passion and care for the written word,” said David Steinberger, chair of the board of directors of the National Book Foundation.

“Since the 1970s, Coates has modeled what it means to be a community-focused independent publisher and tireless advocate for Black diasporic writers and books," Steinberger continued. “The foundation is proud to count him among the former members of our board of directors, and it is our great pleasure to recognize Coates’s tremendous contributions to the American literary community at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony.”

Before Coates, who is also the founder ofBlack Classic Pressand BCP Digital Printing, got his start in the literary world, he was a member of the United States Army and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967.

LeVar Burton at the 70th National Book Awards.Theo Wargo/WireImage

Theo Wargo/WireImage

“As a librarian, publisher and community activist, W. Paul Coates has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of remarkable writers and elevating works that have shaped our personal and collective understanding of the Black experience within the borders of the United States and around the globe,” Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation, said via the press release.

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“Coates has demonstrated for more than 40 years the importance of reading the past and nourishing the creative imagination of present and future writers of the Black diaspora,” she continued. “We are honored to celebrate his extraordinary career with the 2024 Literarian Award.”Literature.

For more information about the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner and to register for the broadcast, visit theNational Book Foundation.

source: people.com