In memory of poet Reuben Jackson, who passed away Feb. 16, 2024 at age 67, the staff and board of Young Writers Project offer this award to honor the uplifting values Reuben lived by and helped to instill in the YWP community. 

The Reuben Jackson Award will be granted to a YWP poet who shares the spirit of creativity, kindness, and generosity that Reuben brought to us over his many years as a mentor, teacher, board member, and dear friend. 

A gift of $250 and a copy of Reuben's book of poetry, Scattered Clouds, will be given to the award winner in June. The recipient will be included in a tribute to Reuben in our upcoming Anthology 15, which will be published in fall 2024.

Reuben was an empathetic mentor, a powerful poet, and a beautiful human being. With this recognition, we are honoring a young poet who continues Reuben's legacy at YWP.

Read YWP's Tribute to Reuben

[Photo: Reuben Jackson reading from his book of poetry, Scattered Clouds, at YWP event in Burlington, VT, Oct. 6, 2019. Credit: Lia Chien, YWP]