July 29th, 2026 — Civitella Board Member and 2018 Director’s Guest Deborah Willis has been named a recipient of a 2026 American Book Award for the 25th anniversary edition of her landmark publication, Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers: 1840 to the Present. The honor was announced by the Before Columbus Foundation, which has recognized outstanding contributions to American literature since 1978. Unlike many literary prizes, the American Book Awards have no categories, nominees, or finalists, celebrating literary excellence across the full spectrum of American voices.
Originally published in 2000, Reflections in Black fundamentally reshaped the history of photography by documenting the work and legacy of Black photographers from the dawn of the medium through the contemporary era. The newly released anniversary edition revisits this essential text, which remains a foundational resource for artists, scholars, historians, and readers interested in the rich and often overlooked history of Black image-making.
Learn more at beforecolumbusfoundation.com. Congratulations, Deb!