Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement
The Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement is named in memory of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. The annual award is presented in even years to an African American author, illustrator or author/illustrator for a body of his or her published books for children and/or young adults, and who has made a significant and lasting literary contribution. The recipient of the inaugural award was Walter Dean Myers in 2010. In odd years, the award is presented to a practitioner for substantial contributions through active engagement with youth using award winning African American literature for children and/or young adults, via implementation of reading and reading related activities/programs. Dr. Henrietta M. Smith was the recipient of the first practitioner award in 2011. A medal and check for $1,500 is presented to the winner during the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast at the ALA Annual Conference.
She has successfully merged scholarship and service with publications such as “Libraries, Literacy and African American Youth” (co-edited with Sandra Hughes Hassell and Casey H...
Eloise Greenfield was born in Parmele, North Carolina, and currently resides in Washington, D.C. Early in life, she discovered a love of reading and writing...
Jerry Pinkney is the recipient of the 2016 Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement which is presented in even years to an African...
Deborah D. Taylor, coordinator of School and Student Services, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, is the recipient of the 2015 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Practitioner...
Tucker has served as youth services coordinator within the Roanoke (Va.) Public Library System and library media specialist at the Forest Park Elementary School, where...
Storyteller, artist, author, poet and musician, Bryan created his first children’s book in first grade. He grew up in the Bronx and in 1962, he became the...
Myers’ body of work is chiefly fiction and also includes biography, poetry, history and memoir. The community of Harlem and ongoing dialogues with today’s youth...
In even-numbered years, the award will be given to authors, illustrators or author/illustrators; in odd-numbered years, practitioners will be recognized. Selection criteria and the submission form can be found at http://www.ala.org/rt/emiert/virginia-hamilton-award-lifetime-achievement. Applications for 2023 have closed.
A plaque and $1,500 cash award.
Obligation
Recipient must attend Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast during ALA Annual Conference and deliver acceptance speech.
Notification
Recipient is announced during the ALA Youth Media Awards Announcement on the Monday morning of the ALA Midwinter Meeting in January. Recipient is contacted that morning.
