Larry Neal Writers' Awards

The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) celebrated the 30thAnnual Larry Neal Writers’ Competition on Friday, May 3, 2013 at the Hill Center in the Old Naval Hospital.  The competition, which was held in partnership with the PEN/Faulkner Foundation, commemorates the artistic legacy and vision of cultural understanding of Larry Neal, a renowned author, academic and former executive director of the DCCAH.

The event was marked with exciting performances, including Dolores Kendrick, the Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia as well as stage readings of selected winners’ work. Presenters included E. Ethelbert Miller, a nationally renowned poet and activist, MaryAnn Millers, Ward 3 commissioner of the DCCAH, Abel Lopez, the chair of Americans for the Arts, and Benjamin Saenz, 2013 winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

In March 2013, the DCCAH received more than 200 submissions from emerging and established writers residing in the District of Columbia in the categories of poetry, essays, dramatic writing and short story.  Twenty-eight finalists were announced in April 2013.

“The work that was submitted this year was outstanding,” said Lionell Thomas, Executive Director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “We are continually impressed with the literary excellence in the District of Columbia from all levels of writing experience. ”

30th ANNUAL LARRY NEAL WRITERS’ COMPETITION FINALISTS

Larry Neal Prize for Adult Poetry

D. Gilson

Larry Neal Prize for Adult Fiction

Brendan Williams-Childs

Larry Neal Prize for Adult Dramatic Writing

Hal Weiner

Larry Neal Prize for Teen Poetry

Quadaja Herriott

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Larry Neal Prize for Teen Fiction

Chidinma Onuoha

McKinley Technology High School

Larry Neal Prize for Teen Essay

Kareema Badawi

Coolidge High School

Larry Neal Prize for Youth Poetry

Sophia Diggs-Galligan

Deal Middle School

Larry Neal Prize for Youth Fiction

Celia Doherty

Watkins Elementary School

Larry Neal Prize for Youth Essay

Josh Taubman

Deal Middle School

For additional information, contact Carlyn Madden, Arts Education Manager or call (202) 724-5613.