Terry McMillan is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Patrik Henry Bass, Senior Editor, Books and Arts.
The first-annual 2008 ESSENCE Literary Awards included a who’s who of the literary industry. The invitation-only event celebrated established and emerging African-American authors at Le Parker Meridien in New York City.
Hoda Kotb and Dr. Ian Smith present the night’s first award to Tracy K. Smith for her poetry collection Duende.
Bishop T.D. Jakes accepts The President’s Award from Michelle Ebanks, President of Essence Communications, Inc., for his uplifting book Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits.
Bishop T.D. Jakes gives his remarks after accepting The President’s Award.
Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe accepts the Photography Literary Award for her book Daufuskie Island.
Author Troy Cle, winner for Best Children’s Book, hugs presenter Victoria Rowell.
Moriba Jackson © of the Countee Cullen Branch of the New York Public Library, located in Central Harlem, accepts a certificate of donation from Angela Burt-Murray (l) and Patrik Henry Bass.
Author Edwidge Danticat holds her award for Best Memoir flanked by event hosts Hoda Kotb and Dr. Ian Smith.
Hoda Kotb, TODAY show co-anchor, and Dr. Ian Smith, creator of The 50 Million Pound Challenge pose with the winners of the Best Non-Fiction Award, Michael Fletcher and Kevin Merida.
Novelist L.A. Banks accepts the Storyteller Of The Year award, voted on Essence.com.
