Cassava Republic Press has unveiled the longlist for its first-ever Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manuscript Prize in a groundbreaking move to amplify the voices of Black women writers in the non-fiction realm.
According to a statement, the competition, which attracted submissions from 36 countries, has selected nine exceptional manuscripts that showcase the depth and breadth of Black women’s intellectual contributions to global discourse.
The longlist, revealed Wednesday, features authors from Africa, Europe, North and South America, each bringing a unique perspective to their chosen topics. From critical analyses of socio-economic issues to personal reflections on identity and culture, the selected works demonstrate the prize’s commitment to finding writing that is both rigorous and beautiful, creative and thoughtful.
Bernardine Evaristo, chair of the judging panel and 2019 Booker Prize recipient, expressed her enthusiasm for the longlisted titles, describing them as “a wonderful revelation in terms of originality, creativity, intellectual scope and diversity of interests.”
The esteemed panel of judges also includes Ugandan scholar Sylvia Tamale, African-American author Natalie Baszile, Caribbean-American feminist scholar Carole Boyce-Davies, and Zimbabwean-South African historian Panashe Chigumadzi.
The nine longlisted manuscripts cover a wide range of subjects, reflecting the global nature of the prize.
The Global Black Women’s Non-Fiction Manucrips Prize Longlist:
1. “African Feminist Reflections on State Sponsored Backlash in Kenya” by Marilyn Kamuru (Kenya)
2. “Anxiolytic Notes” by Daniela Rodrigues Damaceno (Brasil)
3. “Being Here in This Body” by Mildred Barya (Uganda)
4. “Black Beauty Model Agency” by Desta Haile (Eritrea)
5. “Elemental Solidarity: The Climate Crisis and Contemporary African And Diasporic Art” by Sindi-Leigh McBride (South Africa)
6. “Sweetness Is No Guarantee” by Breanna McDaniel (United States)
7. “The Black Packer” by Ebony Francis (UK)
8. “The Cosmic Matter of Blackness” by Cherise Morris (United States)
9. “Through the Lens of Food: A Decolonized Exploration of Black Middle-Class Identity Expression” by Pamella Gysman (South Africa)
Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, founder and publishing director of Cassava Republic, highlighted the significance of the prize, stating, “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.”
The competition, funded by Alitheia Capital and the Open Society Foundations Africa, offers substantial rewards for the winners. The grand prize winner will receive a publishing contract with Cassava Republic Press and a $20,000 advance. Additionally, two runners-up will each be awarded a $5,000 advance and a publishing deal, recognising the strength of the top shortlisted writers.
The shortlist will be announced on November 13th, and the winner will be announced on December 4th.
Operating out of Abuja and London, Cassava Republic Press, is a leading Global Black Publisher of award-winning fiction, non-fiction and children’s books from Africa and its Diasporas and has sold over six million books in more than 60 countries and published award-winning writers such as Teju Cole, Sarah Ladipo Manyika and Helon Habila in 17 years.
As a global black publishing house, the publisher said it is committed to ensuring that the story of the global black world is told in its historical and contemporary diversity from Benin to Bahia, Lagos to Lima, Kingston to
Kinshasa, Nairobi to New York.
