Barack Obama to be honored next month by PEN America
Former President Barack Obama is already a million-selling author and also a prize-winning author
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former President Barack Obama already a million-selling author, is also a prize-winning author.
PEN America announced Wednesday that Obama will receive its second annual Voice of Influence Award in recognition of how his writings “have traversed political, social, and ideological bounds and framed a self-reflective humanism that has marked his influence on public life.”
Obama, whose memoir “A Promised Land” came out last week, will be honored Dec. 8 at the literary and human rights organization's annual gala, to be held virtually because of the coronavirus.
During the ceremony, Obama and historian Ron Chernow a former PEN board president, will discuss freedom of expression and the importance of truth in a world of misinformation.
Obama’s previous books include “Dreams from My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope.”
“As an organization of writers, we have always seen President Obama not just as a leader, but as one of us: an author. His probing and evocative narratives helped introduce the world to his unique background, and the power of his life experience as a prompt toward a more pluralistic and encompassing society,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement.
PEN presented its first Voice of Influence Award in 2019 to filmmaker Ava DuVernay.