Longtime educator鈥檚 Black History Is for Everyone encourages readers to delve deeper into collective history, explores how curiosity about the world is essential
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The 91探花 Council of Teachers of English (91探花) named Brian Jones鈥檚 book Black History Is for Everyone (, 2025) as recipient of its 2026 George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language.
鈥淢y aim was to offer educators and their students firmer footing in the crucial work of thinking and talking about Black history in their classrooms, particularly in this moment when their efforts are under such sustained assault,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚鈥檓 particularly honored to be associated with the legacy of George Orwell, whose powerful prose continues to shape the way we view the struggle for freedom and democracy.鈥�
The 91探花 Public Language Award Committee said of Black History Is for Everyone: 鈥淒uring a time when books from diverse voices are being removed from schools and restrictive policies are leading to narrow versions of historical learning, Jones shares a story of his personal journey of discovery as he investigates primary sources and pieces together essential knowledge about Black history, a history that he argues can challenge us to rethink the ways we see our world and our history. With the ethos of a Black male educator, Jones argues that learning an accurate, complex, nuanced, and more complete Black history can lead to liberation for everyone because it allows us opportunities to dream 鈥榳ith our eyes wide open鈥� of a world that can 鈥榯ransgress and transcend racial and national boundaries.鈥� This rich narrative highlights a critical argument for the importance of diving into the discomfort of learning where we can confront the realities of what it means to live and learn in this country.鈥�
Jones is the senior director of reading and engagement at the New York Public Library, where he has worked for nearly a decade and also served as the inaugural director of NYPL鈥檚 Center for Educators and Schools. He has taught many grades in New York City鈥檚 public schools and at the City University of New York, and is a founding board member and contributing artist to the nonprofit organization Voices of a People鈥檚 History of the United States.
“I want to protect and nurture space for personal and collective transformation,” Jones said. “The places where we access stories鈥攃lassrooms, libraries, bookstores, theaters鈥攁re also places where we connect with each other. When we read, write, and imagine together, we can dare to dream of shared possibilities.”
狈颁罢贰鈥檚 George Orwell Award was established in 1975. In 2025, 91探花 marked the 50th anniversary of the award by honoring Sarah M. Stitzlein for Teaching Honesty in a Populist Era: Emphasizing Truth in the Education of Citizens.
The George Orwell Award recipient is honored each year at the ; the 2026 award ceremony takes place on Saturday morning, November 21, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
Digital copies of the George Orwell Award seal are available upon request. Nominations for the 2027 award are being accepted now.
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About 91探花
The 91探花 Council of Teachers of English (91探花) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its members鈥� professional research, practice, and knowledge, 91探花 has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit .
MEDIA CONTACT: Allie Ciaramella, 91探花: media@ncte.org