By Georgia Jackson, College of Arts and Sciences
It has been more than 75 years since poets competed in the Olympic Games. But this hasn’t stopped bards in the USF College of Arts and Sciences from bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals for their creative work.
The latest poet to do so is Ajibola Tolase, an assistant professor in the Department of English, who won a gold medal from the Florida Book for his poetry collection “2000 Blacks.”
Tolase also won the Cave Canem Poetry Prize for his collection, "2000 Blacks."
Tolase joins colleagues Heather Sellers, a professor of English who received a bronze medal in the poetry category in 2022
for her collection, “Field Notes from the Flood Zone,” and Julia Koets, an assistant professor of English who received a silver award in the poetry category
in 2021 for her collection, “Pine.”
Together, the three make for “a perfect Olympic poetry team with a gold, silver and
bronze,” according to Sellers.
For Tolase, who joined the department in 2024, it’s a dream come true.
“I always think of poetry as a private endeavor, so it's a delight to see judges connect
with the ideas of the book,” he said. “Past winners of the Florida Book Awards are
some of my colleagues whose teaching, writing and mentorship means so much to me.”
“2000 Blacks,” which also received the Cave Canem Poetry Prize, explores African history,
the transatlantic slave trade, resource exploitation and the speaker's complex relationship
with his father.
"My inspiration is always from the living world,” said Tolase. “There are always events and moments that make good material for poetry.”
“2000 Blacks" will be on permanent display, alongside other recipients of the Florida Book Awards, in the library at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee and in the Strozier Library at Florida State University.
The Florida Book Awards honor literature by Florida authors and books about Florida. Winners include USF alumna Aracelis González Asendorf (2024), Lauren Groff (2023, 2021), USF alumna Gloria Muñoz (2021), USF Assistant Professor Brenda Peynado (2021), USF alumna Jaquira Díaz (2019), former USF faculty member Ira Sukrungruang (2016, 2014), the late Jay Hopler (2016, 2006), Tim Dorsey (2009) and Carl Hiaasen (2006).
“Florida has always been a creative hotspot for literature,” said Keith Simmons, executive director of the Florida Book Awards. “This program is an annual opportunity to recognize and share the hard work and creativity of Florida authors, as well as to help connect them with new audiences, both in and out of Florida.”
"Dressing the Saints," a collection of short stories by USF alumna Aracelis González Asendorf, won a gold medal in the general fiction category this year.
"Danzirly," a collection of poetry by USF alumna Gloria Muñoz won a gold medal in the poetry category in 2021.
"The Rock Eaters," a collection of short stories by USF Assistant Professor Brenda Peynado, won a bronze medal in the general fiction category in 2021.
"Ordinary Girls," a memoir by USF alumna Jaquira Díaz, won a gold medal in the general nonfiction category in 2019.