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The Asterisk*Author: Ansfield-Wolf Book Awards
The Asterisk* is a production of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards (AWBA), the only juried prize to honor outstanding books that further our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures. An asterisk is a reference mark, indicating an omission. With that definition in mind, each episode will delve into some of the holes in our knowledge about an esteemed AWBA winning book.The Asterisk* is hosted by Karen R. Long, the manager of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards. Long came to the Cleveland Foundation in 2013 after eight years as book editor of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland. She continues as a literary critic and served until 2016 as a vice president for the National Book Critics Circle.For over 85 years, the distinguished books earning Anisfield-Wolf prizes have opened and challenged generations of minds. Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf established the book prizes in 1935, in honor of her father, John Anisfield, and husband, Eugene Wolf, to reflect her familys passion for social justice. Today it remains the only American book prize focusing on works that address racism and diversity. Past winners have expanded the humanities, illuminated the extraordinary art and culture of peoples around the world and broadened our understanding of rights and identities as well as our sense of whom is entitled to them. The Cleveland Foundation, the worlds first community foundation, has administered the Anisfield-Wolf prize since 1963. Language: en Genres: Arts, Books, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Adrian Matejka (2014 Poetry)
Monday, 29 June, 2026
Adrian Matejka was born Germany in the town of Nuremberg. He grew up, partly in public housing, in California and Indiana. A graduate of Indiana University, Matejka earned an M FA from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. His first collection of poems, The Devil’s Garden, received the 2002 New York / New England Award from Alice James Books. His second collection, Mixology, won the 2008 National Poetry Series and was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award. His work has appeared in American Poetry Review, The Best American Poetry 2010, Gulf Coast, Ploughshares, Poetry, and Prairie Schooner. He teaches creative writing at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he lives with his wife, the poet Stacey Lynn Brown, and their daughter. In this episode of The Asterisk*, 2014 AWBA poetry winner Adrian Matejka reflects on the life and legacy of boxer Jack Johnson, the subject of his award-winning collection, "The Big Smoke." In conversation with former Program Director Karen R. Long, Matejka explores how poetry can illuminate history, reclaim overlooked stories and reveal emotional truths that facts alone cannot capture. The discussion also traces Matejka’s journey from discovering poetry as a young reader to leading Poetry magazine. Along the way, he shares insights on creativity, mentorship and his latest collection, "Be Easy: New and Selected Poems."
