Virginia State University alumna nominated for Pulitzer Prize in poetry for new book

Virginia State University (VSU) recently announced that Dr. Latorial Faison, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Languages and Literature, has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in poetry for her new book, “Nursery Rhymes in Black.”

Faison’s book is a poetic recollection of race, roots, culture and identity. Blending tradition, memory and resistance, the book reimagines familiar childhood rhymes through the lens of Black history and Faison’s lived experience.

A VSU alumna, Faison was nominated by the University of Alaska Press, which published “Nursery Rhymes in Black” released on July 15 this year, after it was named the winner of the 2023 Permafrost Book Prize in poetry.

“It’s an honor to have my new book, ‘Nursery Rhymes in Black,’ nominated for the Pulitzer,” Faison said. “This collection is deeply tied to the heart and history of who I am as a Black woman in America. I am grateful to trailblazers like Gwendolyn Brooks, Lucille Clifton and Nikki Giovanni, whose voices carved the path, kept the light on, and made this moment possible.”

Dr. Latorial Faison, Provided by Virginia State University

The book has received acclaim from some of the most esteemed voices in literature, including Dr. Joanne Gabbin, founder of the Furious Flower Poetry Center, as well as Judy Juanita, Glenis Redmond, Trudier Harris and Cedric Tillman, who praised Faison’s work for its powerful and nuanced portrayal of Black life and family, according to the press release.

Faison has authored more than 16 books, including “Mother to Son,” “28 Days of Poetry Celebrating Black History” and “The Missed Education of the Negro: An Examination of the Black Segregated Education Experience of Southampton County, 1950–1970.”

‘Nursery Rhymes in Black’ by Latorial Faison, a Virginia State University alumna.

The Pulitzer Prize is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in American literature. Faison’s Pulitzer Prize nomination highlights the significance of her literary contribution and affirms VSU’s commitment to nurturing voices that illuminate Black life, memory and resilience for the next generation.

Winners of the 2026 Pulitzer Prizes are expected to be announced in early May 2026.

Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at [email protected], follow @KHiggins_PI on X and @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia State University alumna nominated for Pulitzer Prize in poetry for new book

Reporting by Kristi K. Higgins, Petersburg Progress-Index / The Progress-Index

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