On May 1, 1950, poet Gwendolyn Brooks made history as the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize. She received the prestigious award in poetry for her book Annie Allen, a groundbreaking collection that chronicles the life of a young Black girl coming of age in Chicago. Brooks’ powerful command of language and exploration of Black identity, motherhood, and urban life elevated her voice to national prominence. Her win marked a milestone for African American literature and helped open doors for future generations of Black writers.
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