Cassava Republic Press today announced the longlist for its inaugural Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize, created to amplify the voices of Black women writers in the non-fiction space as knowledge producers and critical thinkers. Reflecting the international spirit of the prize, Cassava Republic received submissions from 36 countries, and from both established and emerging writers.

The nine longlisted authors hail from Africa, Europe, North and South America, and each bring a unique perspective and voice to the topics they explore. Each manuscript reflects the goal of the prize, to find writing that is rigorous and beautiful, creative and thoughtful. From critical analyses of socio-economic issues to personal reflections on identity, resilience and culture, and from experimental scholarship to travelogues, these titles reflect the breadth and range of Black women’s intellectual contribution to global discourse, showcasing ideas that transcend borders.

The inaugural prize's judging panel is chaired by award-winning author and 2019 Booker Prize recipient Bernardine Evaristo, Ugandan scholar, Sylvia Tamale, African-American author and filmmaker Natalie Baszile, Caribbean-American feminist scholar Carole Boyce-Davies, and Zimbabwean-South African historian and novelist Panashe Chigumadzi. Evaristo commented: “This is a groundbreaking prize which will support, champion and elevate the writings of Black women who are interested in expanding the universe of ideas, the imagination and critical thinking, and I am overjoyed to be chairing such an illustrious panel of leading intellectuals.”

Bernardine Evaristo further commented, "The longlisted titles for this prize are a wonderful revelation in terms of originality, creativity, intellectual scope and diversity of interests. We are looking forward to the next stage whereby six of the manuscripts will rise to the surface."

The Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize Longlist:

  • African Feminist Reflections on State Sponsored Backlash in Kenya by Marilyn Kamuru (Kenya)
  • Anxiolytic Notes by Daniela Rodrigues Damaceno (Brasil)
  • Being Here in This Body by Mildred Barya (Uganda)
  • Black Beauty Model Agency by Desta Haile (Eritrea)
  • Elemental Solidarity: The Climate Crisis and Contemporary African And Diasporic Art by Sindi-Leigh McBride (South Africa)
  • Sweetness Is No Guarantee by Breanna McDaniel (United States)
  • The Black Packer by Ebony Francis (UK)
  • The Cosmic Matter of Blackness by Cherise Morris (United States)
  • Through the Lens of Food: A Decolonized Exploration of Black Middle-Class Identity Expression by Pamella Gysman (South Africa)

Commenting on the longlist, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Founder and Publishing Director of Cassava Republic said, “We are incredibly excited to see such a rich array of voices represented in the longlist. This prize not only celebrates the talents of Black women writers but also underscores their essential role in shaping critical discourse across various fields.”

Funded by Alitheia Capital and the Open Society Foundations Africa, the prize winner will secure a publishing contract with Cassava Republic Press along with a substantial $20,000 advance. In recognition of the strengths of the top shortlisted writers, two runners-up will each receive a $5,000 advance and a publishing deal.

The shortlist will be announced on November 13th, and the winner will be announced on December 4th.

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