No institution has played such a definitive role in shaping the poetry of the 21st century. Cave Canem consistently represents the best that the literary world has to offer. National Book Critics' Circle on Cave Canem as the winner of its first annual Toni Morrison Achievement Award, a newly established award to honor institutions that have made a meaningful and lasting contribution to book culture.

There is nothing like being seen by the eyes of those who, without explanation, understand why you do what you do when you do it. There is nothing like not having to decode or apologize for the sweet pleasure of a word or phrase that will not let loose of your ear. Nikky Finney, The Ringing Ear:
Black Poets Lean South

Cave Canem is a nonprofit organization, committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets.

While I can't even begin to measure Cave Canem's value to me personally (community, friendship, rigor), we all can see the radical movement it’s occasioned in American poetry. To be plain: it's changed—and is changing—the face(s) of our literary landscape. How often in our lives will we be able to participate in something as important and beautiful? It's a joy to support this. Ross Gay,
Cave Canem Fellow (2003)

Cave Canem is a leading literary organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of poets in the African Diaspora.

News

Aug 14, 2026

Cave Canem and Northwestern University Press Announce 2026 Winner of the Newly-Named Angela Jackson Prize – Michal ‘MJ’ Jones’s of blue & bone

Michal ‘MJ’ Jones is the winner of the 2026 Angela Jackson Prize. of blue & bone is the second collection from the acclaimed poet, which reckons with the real-life horrors of the Hart family murder-suicide.

Aug 11, 2026

Honoring Dante Micheaux: Celebrating His Artistic Leadership and Next Chapter

As we look forward to CC’s next thirty years, we do so with profound gratitude for Dante Micheaux, whose artistic leadership has strengthened our programs, enriched our community, and advanced our mission.

Jul 15, 2026

Cave Canem and Black Lawrence Press Announce Multi-Year Partnership for Derricotte/Eady Chapbook Prize

The 2027 and 2028 Prize Submissions will run concurrently with Cave Canem Fellows Tommye Blount and Jonterri Gadson serving as Prize Judges.

Our programs

The Cave Canem Fellowship

Our annual retreat provides intensive poetry workshops and readings, hosted at University of Pittsburgh | Greensburg.

Regional Workshops

These workshops provide the rare opportunity to work with accomplished poets at no cost.

The Cave Canem Prize

Awarded to one poet annually who receives a monetary award and manuscript publication by one of our partner publishers.

Derricotte/Eady Chapbook Prize

Named after Cave Canem co-founders Toi Derricotte and Cornelius Eady, this Prize spotlights chapbook-length manuscripts by Black poets.

Angela Jackson Prize

Awarded to one poet biannually, this second-book award celebrates and publishes works of lasting cultural value and literary excellence.

Readings

Cave Canem hosts a robust lineup of public readings and conversations with impactful Black poets and poetry scholars.

Upcoming events

Readings, events, applications, and more–see what’s in store at Cave Canem.

Calendar

Open calls

Check out current open calls for Prize and Fellowship applications.

Applications

What little blk gurls
are made of

S. Shaw

Portrait of My Very
Jealous Husband

Adrienne Christian

You hate it when
I say things like I would wait for you forever

Evan Burton

Beneficiary

Bryan Byrdlong

I Wrote All My Good
Poems in New York

Karisma Price

Glory to All Fleeting Things

S. Erin Batiste

By the time I leave a CC Retreat, I can feel that the internal imperative to Write! has shifted from an obsessive, isolating quality to one of deep communal rites and responsibilities – what healthier transition exists for an artist? Geffrey Davis,
Cave Canem Fellow (2012)

We sit in workshops – elbow to elbow with minds bent over heart engaged in skillful conversation about craft. I am grateful for this space that allows for my personal and historical epiphanies to rise. Here, I can listen and sit with others who listen deeply. I am honored to be part of this literary force that I call family.” Glenis Redmond,
Cave Canem Fellow (2000)

When I step out into the world, I am not alone. Intellectually, I have always recognized this to be true. Cave Canem put it in my bones. My poems, and I, have a place to breathe. Keith S. Wilson,
Cave Canem Fellow (2010)

Cave Canem shows me the beauty, diversity and depth of Black poetry in America. At CC, poets are also lawyers and mothers and engineers. We don’t all make our living through our art, but we all live through our art. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned, the love I’ve received and the family I have acquired. Sami Schalk,
Cave Canem Fellow (2010)