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Nice recognition for the book

By Joe Stinnett

I was honored to see Out of Virginia: Black Americans' Search for Freedom in 19th-Century Liberia, as an official submission of the University of Virginia Press to the 2026 Museum of African American History's Stone Book Award judging. There was no danger of me winning among all the excellent books, congrats to the shortlisters, but I was psyched anyway, especially when I learned that all books submitted are added to the Boston museum's library. You can check out the other nominees and the shortlist here. I was unfamiliar with this award, but the author of the winning book will receive $50,000. www.maahstonebookaward.org

2026 MAAH Stone Book Award “Official Submission” graphic showing the cover of Out of Virginia beside a photograph of author Joseph P. Stinnett.
Out of Virginia was an official submission of the University of Virginia Press to the 2026 Museum of African American History Stone Book Award.