There are infinite ways to be Black...
and we want to celebrate them!
The party may have passed, but you can still relive all the excitement
by clicking here to watch our full event recording on YouTube.
Want to keep the party going?
Click here to explore our interactive event features on OhYay!
Our 2021 ceremony was hosted by Cree Myles; featured appearances by Ayana Gray, Jamise Harper, Vallery Lomas, Jasmine Mans, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Danté Stewart, Nic Stone, Traci Thomas,
& Phillip B. Williams; and stunning performances by Jaime Woods.
Please note registration, nominations, and voting are now closed. You can view all of our 2021 nominees and winners below.
All 2021 Nominees & Winners
Congrats to all of our 2021 community-chosen nominees and winners!
Bookstagrammer of the Year
A Bookstagrammer who has demonstrated visionary excellence in the following categories: content, engagement and originality.
Bookstagrammer of the Year (10,000+ followers)
Prize of $1,000 cash + opportunity for Instagram ad credits
@Booksenvogue
@melanatedreader - WINNER
@readingwithglamour
@ReggieReads
@thestackspod
Bookstagrammer of the Year (5,000 - 9,999 followers)
Prize of $500 cash + opportunity for Instagram ad credits
@ablackmanreading - WINNER
@dsweet_library
@_litmedown
@_pagesgaloree
@read_by_rodkelly
Bookstagrammer of the Year (up to 4,999 followers)
Prize of $500 cash + opportunity for Instagram ad credits
@angieoverbooked - WINNER
@brisbookish
@historywithher
@temikacage
@theoreads_
Debut Bookstagrammer of the Year
A Bookstagrammer whose account has debuted with in the past calendar year and has demonstrated outstanding content and curation.
Prize of $500 cash + opportunity for Instagram ad credits
@ashleeisbooked
@blackgirlwithbooks - WINNER
@margauxreadit
@readwithebony
@_whatlexreads
Book of the Year - Adult
Adult fiction or non-fiction book that has created vast discourse and altered the literary landscape.
Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans
Dear Senthuran by Akwaeke Emezi
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers - WINNER
The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Book of the Year - YA
A young adult book so refreshing it is only a matter of time before it is mentioned alongside such classics as
The Giver, The Hate You Give, and The Coldest Winter Ever.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Abike-Iyimide - WINNER
Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, & Nicola Yoon
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
This is My America by Kim Johnson
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Book of the Year - Kids
A children's book that followed in the canon's tradition of making the beauty and wonder of this world accessible to our tiniest readers.
Change Sings by Amanda Gorman, ill. by Loren Long
Looking for a Jumbie by Tracey Baptiste, ill. Amber Ren
The Me I Choose to Be by Natasha Tarpley, ill. by Regis & Kahran Bethencourt - WINNER
The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi, ill. by Loveis Wise
Shady Baby by Gabrielle Union-Wade & Dwayne Wade Jr., ill. by Tara Nicole Whitaker
Author of the Year
A published writer who has continously demonstrated their commitment and appreciation to Bookstagram.
(Can include debut authors.)
Mateo Askaripour, author of Black Buck
Honoree Fanonne Jeffers, author of The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois
Robert Jones Jr., author of The Prophets
Kiese Laymon, author of Long Division (The Remix)
Jasmine Mans, author of Black Girl, Call Home - WINNER
Debut Author of the Year
Author whose book has debuted within the last year and has already started solidifying their place in the Black literary tradition.
Faridah Abike-Iyimide, author of Ace of Spades
Mateo Askaripour, author of Black Buck
Brian Broome, author of Punch Me Up to the Gods
Robert Jones, Jr., author of The Prophets - WINNER
Monica West, author of Revival Season
Audiobook of the Year
That ideal listening experience.
Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour (nar. by Zeno Robinson)
The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton (nar. by Janina Edwards)
How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith (nar. by Clint Smith)
The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr. (nar. by Karen Chilton)
Somebody's Daughter by Ashley Ford (nar. by Ashley Ford) - WINNER
Cover of the Year
A cover to end all covers.
Black Boy Out of Time
Black Girl, Call Home - WINNER
Long Division (The Remix)
Skin of the Sea
Unbound
Independent Bookstore of the Year
Whether it's your hometown favorite or another favorite book oasis, we want to hear about them!
Baldwin & Co. | New Orleans, LA
Harriet's Bookshop | Philadelphia, PA
Mahogany Books | Washington, D.C.
Sistah Scifi | Oakland, CA
Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books | Philadelphia, PA - WINNER
Most Original Social Content of the Year
They did what?! What's the most original content you've seen?
@blackreaderscon
@bookitqueen
@booksenvogue - WINNER
@brisbookish
@supportblackauthors
Best Breakout Moment
Woah. Zero to Sixty in one post. What moment blew you away?
@ablackmanreading for #FlashbackFriday
@booksarepopculture for Long Division author conversation
@melanatedreader for Goats and Legends - WINNER
@readingwithglamour for Checking In with Michelle Williams
@spinesvines for Bibliophile Diverse Spines launch
Best Reel
A Reel that you visit again and again.
@ablackmanreading
@bookitqueen
@booksenvogue
@readingwithglamour - WINNER
@supportblackauthors
Best Review
A review so insightful it inspired you to pick up the book.
@ablackmanreading x The Prophets - WINNER
@blackgirlthatreads x We Are Not Like Them
@_litmedown x The Prophets
@reggiereads x Black Buck
@theoreads_ x Open Water
Best Photo (without face)
A picture taken of a book in the classic Bookstagram tradition.
@blackgirlthatreads - WINNER
@bribookish
@chocolatecoveredpages
@herstacks
@never_withouta_book
Best Photo (with face)
A picture taken of a book including the Bookstagrammer.
@chocolatecoveredpages - WINNER
@_litmedown
@owl_be_booked
@_pagesgaloree
@thesolreader
Best Read-A-Thon
An organized buddy read that inspired people to pick up a book with a community of readers and kept them engaged
throughout the read with activities and encouragement.
@blackprosebookclub for Nekkid 2021
@browngirlreading for #ReadSoulLit photo challenge - WINNER
@_withtheshxtsexp with A Brief History of Seven Killings
Best Interview
A discourse that was so moving you go back and visit it again and again.
@ablackmanreading x Mateo Askaripour
@browngirlreading x Zoe Bambara
@melanatedreader x Kiese Laymon - WINNER
@thestackspod x Dave Zirin
What is All Ways Black?
All Ways Black is a community dedicated to Black literature -- reading it, sharing it, talking about it, posting about it, living it, loving it. Follow @AllWaysBlack on Instagram to join the conversation, find book recommendations, tune in for live author chats and read-a-thons, and generally vibe out with your fellow readers.
What are The All Ways Black Awards?
The first-ever All Ways Black Awards are a place to celebrate all of the labor and love Bookstagrammers, readers, and writers put into this space. We have some really awesome categories for you to choose from, with a healthy mix of fun and dignified. Do you have a favorite bookstagrammer (even if it’s you, tuh)? A review that was so insightful it halted your scrolling? A reel that you visit again and again? A writer that has made this space feel like a real community? Well here is your chance to ensure they are celebrated! Mark your calendar for December 9th and make sure you check back here for details.
Meet Our Committee
Final category nominations will be decided by our official All Ways Black Awards Committee.
Get to know them (and throw them a follow!) below.
Photo: © @coco_chasing_adventures, Instagram
Courtney Coulter | CoCo Chasing Adventures
Photo: © @itsabookishworld_, Instagram
Jimalion "Milly" Shari | It's A Bookish World
Cheers! Cocktails & Mocktails
It's a celebration! Mix up one (or several!) of our signature drinks below to make your
The All Ways Black Awards night even more special.
Right-click the image above and select "Save As" to save a copy.
Right-click the image above and select "Save As" to save a copy.
Right-click the image above and select "Save As" to save a copy.
Snag A Copy for Yourshelf
There are a wealth of books by Black authors and about the Black experience to choose from.
Here are just a few top picks, curated by our fearless leader Cree Myles!
The Black Book
Toni Morrison, Middleton A. Harris, Ernest Smith, Morris Levitt, Roger Furman
The Ones Who Don't Say They Love You
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
