Staff Blog
L.A. Banks wins Essence mag’s Storyteller of the Year
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(Belated) congratulations are in order for Philly's head vampire!
During its inaugural Black History Month literary awards event, held 2/7/08 at Le Parker Meridian Hotel, NYC -- Essence Magazine hosted a star-studded gala in honor of literary achievement. News anchor, Hoda Kobt, and Dr. Ian Smith, founder of the Fifty Million Pound Challenge, along with actress Lynn Whitfield, and The Wire television drama star, Jamie Hector, read off categories for awards that ranged from fiction, non-fiction, best poetry, memoirs, photography, children’s books, and inspirational titles, all of which were judged by an expert panel that was hand-picked by Essence Magazine’s Patrick Henry Bass. ... Bishop T.D. Jakes was honored with The President’s Award and author Terry McMillan was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. However, the one category that was voter driven, akin to a “People’s Choice Award,” was the selection of Storyteller of the Year--Banks took top honors.
"I wasn’t even on the initial ballot until VHL readers hit Essence with all the energy they had," Banks writes on her blog. "In fact, I wasn’t even aware that there was such a contest until you all kicked up a LOT of dust, ha ha ha"
Leslie,
Congratulations, Kudos and every word that’s out there to say “You DID THE DARN THANG - Straight Righteous”. Who said Light can’t previal? I am so privileged to know you and your writing knows no bounds.. Was that Superman who was faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings with with a single bound..? Then Superwoman dont have a thing on you… I bow down to the other Queen cause there are so many, but I want to give this “one” her proper due.
Continued Success & Many More Blessings this award was truly desreved and long overdue.
Keep Making it do what it do…
Sha*