Awards & Honors
In an interview published in the book Dream Reachers, by Chase Von and Betty Dravis, Aberjhani says one of the greatest literary awards he has ever received was when a senior poet named Patricia Robinson King insisted on standing to acknowledge her approval his work after one of his presentations before the Poetry Society of Georgia. He has also acknowledged the extraordinary grace of contemporary fellow poets who have written poems dedicated to him. Such honors are great indeed and the following are a few more for which he has been recognized:
––Jan 2025, Listed in Success Magazine’s 100 New Year Quotes to Motivate, Inspire & Kickstart Your Growth with quote: “First steps are always the hardest but until they are taken the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement.” Others listed include: Oprah Winfrey, Nina Simone, Brad Paisley, Dr. Seuss, Dolly Parton, Nikki Giovanni, Albert Einstein, and more.
––Dec 2024-Jan 2025, Featured in CanvasRebel Magazine.
––November 12, 2024, Poem “Gratitudes of a Dozen Roses” cited as chief inspiration behind musical composition titled every day that comes and goes by acclaimed composer Donald R. Womack. The composition premiered at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, with performances by Ignace Jang and Ron Levy.
––July 2024, Voted Number 1 Famous U.S. Artist on Ranker.com. About this honor, Aberjhani has said, “I find it overwhelming because there are a number of exceptional American fine art creatives whose craftsmanship I’m certain surpasses my own. Having said that, I’m also very grateful to those who feel me worthy of such consideration." The author-artist-poet is also included on Ranker site listings for:
Famous People From Georgia, List of Famous Poets, List of Famous Journalists, List of 500+ Famous Male Poets, List of Famous Editors, List of Famous Book Editors, Famous Male Authors, List of Famous Publishers, List of Famous Lyricists, Famous Artists from United States , 50+ Celebrities Born on July 8, and Famous Male Journalists.
––April 2024, Officially invited by the Nexus Instituut in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to consider submitting article on the following: “AI and humanism, African Humanism, Humanism as a Life Practice versus Humanism as Intellectual Contemplation.”
--Feb 2024, Museum panel text by Aberjhani featured at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Savannah, Georgia, for exhibits on Earl T. Shinhoster and the former West Broad Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard).
--Feb 2024, Featured as a Black History Month Urgent Kidz Care Honoree.
Feb 18, 2023: Appearing at the Savannah Book Festival, award-winning novelist George Dawes Green, in public dialogue with writer Ariel Felton, referenced Aberjhani as “Our great Savannah poet” and recommended audience members read DREAMS OF THE IMMORTAL CITY SAVANNAH. Green also closed his main address for the Savannah Book Festival with additional references to Aberjhani and the same book. YouTube videos of his presentation may be found at SBF 2023 presents George Dawes Green and SBF 2023 presents George Dawes Green Saturday Morning.
--2023, Book American Poet Who Went Home Again quoted by Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in capstone essay From Slavery to Sovereignty: The Economic Importance of the Justice for Black Farmers Act By Danielle Browne, John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow.
––Sept 2022, Officially invited by the Oxford Union Society to participate in the Oxford Union International Poetry Symposium in Great Britain.
––August 2022, Aberjhani featured cover artist for Flannery O’Connor Review with 9-page spread of his artwork and poetry.
on front cover
--July 2022, Cited as an "incomparable poet" among acknowledgments in the Gold Dagger Award-winning novel THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH by The Moth storytelling organization founder George Dawes Green.
--Feb 23, 2021--Featured Guest at Savannah State University Virtual African-American History Month Read-In
--2021, American Poet Who Went Home Again listed at number 3 on Savannah-Related Books for Your 2021 Reading List compiled by Upper East River at Eastern Wharf.
--Aug 12, 2020, "Dare to Love Yourself" quote from The River of Winged Dreams featured as Quote of the Day on Good News Network.
--Sept 2019, Commissioned to write poem "Suzannian Algorithm Finger-Painted on an Abstract Wall" published in book SUZANNE JACKSON: FIVE DECADES
--Aug 2019, "There is No Envy" quote from Journey through the Power of the Rainbow incorporated as text element for "Fissure" public art sculpture and book-sharing station by Quincy Owens and Luke Crawley as part of The Public Collection program.
--July 2018. Discussion of Aberjhani’s poem, “Return to Savannah,” and the author’s status among writers associated with the city of Savannah, Georgia (USA), featured in program titled “Hungry for History? Savannah’s Literary Legacy” presented at Savannah’s City Hall by educator and Learning Center director Roger Smith. The program closed with Smith’s recital of “Return to Savannah” and may be viewed on the Savannah Government Television YouTube Channel. Among other writers cited for the presentation are Conrad Aiken, Rosemary Daniell, Flannery O’Connor, and John Berendt.
--March 2012, Joined PEN American Center
--August 2011, Recipient of Michael Jackson Portrait VIP Dot Award
--June 13, 2011, Listed on the Best American Poetry website as one of "The New Black" 2010/2011 poets of note presented by poet Diann Blakely. Among the others listed were: "Nordette N. Adams, Elizabeth Alexander, Jericho Brown (NEA and Whiting Awards), Toi Derricotte, Rita Dove, Camille Dungy, Nikky Finney, Cornelius Eady, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Nikki Giovanni, Terrance Hayes, Yona Harvey" and more.
--February 2011, Featured Author on AOL Black Voices.
--2010 and 2011, Featured Blogger for various articles published on Red Room.
--January 2010 appointed to editorial team for Civil War Savannah Book Series
--October 2009, Founding Author Inducted into Red Room Hall of Fame
--September 2008, featured author on LibraryThing.com
--July 2008, featured author on GotPoetry.com
--April 2008, Recipient of Telfair Museum Publishing Grant for ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love
--February 2008, presented membership in the Telfair Museum’s Friends of African-American Arts in Savannah, Georgia.
---Fall 2007, Featured Poet in the Smoking Poet eZine
--April 2007, joined the Academy of American Poets
--January 2007, named The Writing Forum Poet of the Month
--January 2007, presented anonymous sponsorship for Black Skylark Z-Ped Music Player website on Authors Den.
--2006, Best Savannah Poet and Spoken Word Artist of the Year Award
--February 2006, Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance selected as “Essential Title for the Home Library” by Black
Issues Book Review
--2005, New Jersey Notable Book of the Year Award presented by NJ Center for the Book under the aegis of the Library of Congress Center for the Book
--2005, Best History Book Award
--2004, CHOICE Academic Title of the Year Award
--December 5, 2004, “Let The Arts Speak” Literary Cafe at Savannah State University, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Awarded Certificate of Appreciation
--2004, Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance added to Smithsonian Libraries Collection.
--November 2003, Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance chosen as “Recommended Holiday Gift” by editors of ESSENCE
Magazine
--2000, Irene Tromble Literary Prize for Best Work in the Savannah Literary Journal
--2000, Creative Loafing Entertainment Magazine"Critic's Pick" for Best Savannah Author Year
--1995-1997 Executive Board Member and Chairman of Critics Committee for The Poetry Society of Georgia 1995-1997
--1996, selected to serve as Georgia Council for the Arts Program Reviewer
--1985 Award for Journalistic Excellence, Armed Forces Europe 1985
--1984 Freedom Foundation Essay Competition Bronze Medal
--1982 Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award
* * *
––Jan 2025, Listed in Success Magazine’s 100 New Year Quotes to Motivate, Inspire & Kickstart Your Growth with quote: “First steps are always the hardest but until they are taken the notion of progress remains only a notion and not an achievement.” Others listed include: Oprah Winfrey, Nina Simone, Brad Paisley, Dr. Seuss, Dolly Parton, Nikki Giovanni, Albert Einstein, and more.
––Dec 2024-Jan 2025, Featured in CanvasRebel Magazine.
––November 12, 2024, Poem “Gratitudes of a Dozen Roses” cited as chief inspiration behind musical composition titled every day that comes and goes by acclaimed composer Donald R. Womack. The composition premiered at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, with performances by Ignace Jang and Ron Levy.
––July 2024, Voted Number 1 Famous U.S. Artist on Ranker.com. About this honor, Aberjhani has said, “I find it overwhelming because there are a number of exceptional American fine art creatives whose craftsmanship I’m certain surpasses my own. Having said that, I’m also very grateful to those who feel me worthy of such consideration." The author-artist-poet is also included on Ranker site listings for:
Famous People From Georgia, List of Famous Poets, List of Famous Journalists, List of 500+ Famous Male Poets, List of Famous Editors, List of Famous Book Editors, Famous Male Authors, List of Famous Publishers, List of Famous Lyricists, Famous Artists from United States , 50+ Celebrities Born on July 8, and Famous Male Journalists.
––April 2024, Officially invited by the Nexus Instituut in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to consider submitting article on the following: “AI and humanism, African Humanism, Humanism as a Life Practice versus Humanism as Intellectual Contemplation.”
--Feb 2024, Museum panel text by Aberjhani featured at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Savannah, Georgia, for exhibits on Earl T. Shinhoster and the former West Broad Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard).
--Feb 2024, Featured as a Black History Month Urgent Kidz Care Honoree.
Feb 18, 2023: Appearing at the Savannah Book Festival, award-winning novelist George Dawes Green, in public dialogue with writer Ariel Felton, referenced Aberjhani as “Our great Savannah poet” and recommended audience members read DREAMS OF THE IMMORTAL CITY SAVANNAH. Green also closed his main address for the Savannah Book Festival with additional references to Aberjhani and the same book. YouTube videos of his presentation may be found at SBF 2023 presents George Dawes Green and SBF 2023 presents George Dawes Green Saturday Morning.
--2023, Book American Poet Who Went Home Again quoted by Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in capstone essay From Slavery to Sovereignty: The Economic Importance of the Justice for Black Farmers Act By Danielle Browne, John R. Lewis Social Justice Fellow.
––Sept 2022, Officially invited by the Oxford Union Society to participate in the Oxford Union International Poetry Symposium in Great Britain.
––August 2022, Aberjhani featured cover artist for Flannery O’Connor Review with 9-page spread of his artwork and poetry.
on front cover
--July 2022, Cited as an "incomparable poet" among acknowledgments in the Gold Dagger Award-winning novel THE KINGDOMS OF SAVANNAH by The Moth storytelling organization founder George Dawes Green.
--Feb 23, 2021--Featured Guest at Savannah State University Virtual African-American History Month Read-In
--2021, American Poet Who Went Home Again listed at number 3 on Savannah-Related Books for Your 2021 Reading List compiled by Upper East River at Eastern Wharf.
--Aug 12, 2020, "Dare to Love Yourself" quote from The River of Winged Dreams featured as Quote of the Day on Good News Network.
--Sept 2019, Commissioned to write poem "Suzannian Algorithm Finger-Painted on an Abstract Wall" published in book SUZANNE JACKSON: FIVE DECADES
--Aug 2019, "There is No Envy" quote from Journey through the Power of the Rainbow incorporated as text element for "Fissure" public art sculpture and book-sharing station by Quincy Owens and Luke Crawley as part of The Public Collection program.
--July 2018. Discussion of Aberjhani’s poem, “Return to Savannah,” and the author’s status among writers associated with the city of Savannah, Georgia (USA), featured in program titled “Hungry for History? Savannah’s Literary Legacy” presented at Savannah’s City Hall by educator and Learning Center director Roger Smith. The program closed with Smith’s recital of “Return to Savannah” and may be viewed on the Savannah Government Television YouTube Channel. Among other writers cited for the presentation are Conrad Aiken, Rosemary Daniell, Flannery O’Connor, and John Berendt.
--March 2012, Joined PEN American Center
--August 2011, Recipient of Michael Jackson Portrait VIP Dot Award
--June 13, 2011, Listed on the Best American Poetry website as one of "The New Black" 2010/2011 poets of note presented by poet Diann Blakely. Among the others listed were: "Nordette N. Adams, Elizabeth Alexander, Jericho Brown (NEA and Whiting Awards), Toi Derricotte, Rita Dove, Camille Dungy, Nikky Finney, Cornelius Eady, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Nikki Giovanni, Terrance Hayes, Yona Harvey" and more.
--February 2011, Featured Author on AOL Black Voices.
--2010 and 2011, Featured Blogger for various articles published on Red Room.
--January 2010 appointed to editorial team for Civil War Savannah Book Series
--October 2009, Founding Author Inducted into Red Room Hall of Fame
--September 2008, featured author on LibraryThing.com
--July 2008, featured author on GotPoetry.com
--April 2008, Recipient of Telfair Museum Publishing Grant for ELEMENTAL, The Power of Illuminated Love
--February 2008, presented membership in the Telfair Museum’s Friends of African-American Arts in Savannah, Georgia.
---Fall 2007, Featured Poet in the Smoking Poet eZine
--April 2007, joined the Academy of American Poets
--January 2007, named The Writing Forum Poet of the Month
--January 2007, presented anonymous sponsorship for Black Skylark Z-Ped Music Player website on Authors Den.
--2006, Best Savannah Poet and Spoken Word Artist of the Year Award
--February 2006, Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance selected as “Essential Title for the Home Library” by Black
Issues Book Review
--2005, New Jersey Notable Book of the Year Award presented by NJ Center for the Book under the aegis of the Library of Congress Center for the Book
--2005, Best History Book Award
--2004, CHOICE Academic Title of the Year Award
--December 5, 2004, “Let The Arts Speak” Literary Cafe at Savannah State University, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Awarded Certificate of Appreciation
--2004, Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance added to Smithsonian Libraries Collection.
--November 2003, Encyclopedia of the Harlem Renaissance chosen as “Recommended Holiday Gift” by editors of ESSENCE
Magazine
--2000, Irene Tromble Literary Prize for Best Work in the Savannah Literary Journal
--2000, Creative Loafing Entertainment Magazine"Critic's Pick" for Best Savannah Author Year
--1995-1997 Executive Board Member and Chairman of Critics Committee for The Poetry Society of Georgia 1995-1997
--1996, selected to serve as Georgia Council for the Arts Program Reviewer
--1985 Award for Journalistic Excellence, Armed Forces Europe 1985
--1984 Freedom Foundation Essay Competition Bronze Medal
--1982 Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award
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