Damon Young Wins National Humor Award—The Thurber Prize

Damon Young, author of  Whatever Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, is this year’s recipient of The Thurber Prize.

“Awarded annually, the Thurber Prize for American Humor is one of the highest recognitions of humor writing in the United States. A panel of national judges selects three finalists from eight or nine semi-finalists. The winner receives $5,000 and a commemorative plaque.

Previously held in New York City, the Thurber Prize returned to its hometown roots—Columbus, Ohio—beginning in 2018. During this annual event, guests are entertained with a spectacular evening of humor featuring the three award finalists, culminating with the announcement of the winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor.”

The Columbus Dispatch: Young, author of the memoir What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker, has won the 2020 Thurber Prize for American Humor. Young was awarded the honor Friday night in a virtual ceremony presented by Thurber House, which is headquartered in the boyhood home of writer and humorist James Thurber for whom the prize is named. Young bested fellow finalists Dave Barry and Kira Jane Buxton.

shit.
damn.
fuck.

more cuss words later. https://t.co/gTc3YEY2Hr

— Damon Young (@DamonYoungVSB) May 22, 2021

Young, 42, of Pittsburgh co-founded and was editor-in-chief of Very Smart Brothas; he announced his departure from the website earlier this month. He is a columnist for GQ and has been published in numerous publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Time Magazine, Ebony and Jezebel magazines. Young describes himself as a “writer, critic, humorist, satirist and professional Black person.”

The Thurber Prize, honoring outstanding contributions in humor writing, originated in 1997. This year’s finalists and winner were selected by judges and fellow humorists Julie Schumacher Aaron Their and Stephen Winer.