The Awards
The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes books that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures. They are books that open and challenge our minds.
Established in 1935 by Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards is the only American book award designated specifically to recognize works addressing issues of racism and diversity. Past winners have presented the extraordinary art and culture of peoples around the world, explored human rights violations, exposed the effects of racism on children, reflected on growing up bi-racial and illuminated the dignity of people as they search for justice.
Since 1963, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards has been administered by The Cleveland Foundation, the nation’s original community foundation. Prior to that time, it was under the sponsorship of Saturday Review. From the early sixties until 1996, Ashley Montagu, the internationally renowned anthropologist and author, chaired the Awards Jury.
Edith Anisfield Wolf established the book awards in honor of her father and husband to reflect her family’s passion for issues of social justice.
Poet & Philanthropist
Edith Anisfield Wolf
Multimedia Library
Watch and hear select highlights from past Awards.
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