Los Angeles Times Book Prize
1 appearances
-
Edition 41 (2020) Winner
Yusef Salaam
ユセフ・サラーム
Yusef Salaam
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- New York City, New York, U.S.
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Islam
- Residence History
- New York City (Harlem) → Georgia (state; lived)
Career
- Occupations
- politician, activist, motivational speaker, author
- Active Years
- 1997-
- Affiliations
- Innocence Project (board member)
- Memberships
- Innocence Project
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutchess Community College | — | — | — | — | United States |
| Hunter College | — | — | — | — | United States |
Dutchess Community College
Country:
United States
Hunter College
Country:
United States
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | — | Barack Obama (presenter) | 受賞 |
| 2021 | Muhammad Ali Confident Muslim of the Year | — | — | Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research | 受賞 |
Lifetime Achievement Award
2016
Organization:
Barack Obama (presenter)
Result:
受賞
Muhammad Ali Confident Muslim of the Year
2021
Organization:
Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice
2021 Memoir / Non-fictionA memoir recounting Salaam's wrongful conviction, imprisonment, and life after exoneration, focusing on forgiveness, purpose, and work toward racial justice and community engagement.
racial justiceforgivenessresiliencefaith
Bibliography
- Better, Not Bitter: Living on Purpose in the Pursuit of Racial Justice (2021)
- Essay "I'm one of the Central Park Five. Donald Trump won't leave me alone" (The Washington Post, 2016)
Adaptations
- Featured in the documentary 'The Central Park Five' (directed by Ken Burns, 2012)
- Portrayed in the television miniseries 'When They See Us' (produced by Ava DuVernay, 2019)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- direct, explanatory narrativememoir-style structure
- Recurring Motifs
- forgivenessjusticefaith and spiritual reflectioncommunity rebuilding
Legacy
After exoneration, Salaam has been influential as an activist, author, and politician, contributing to discussions on criminal justice reform and racial justice. His story as one of the Exonerated Five remains part of public memory and has been honored with memorials such as the Gate of the Exonerated.
Archives
- Yale LUX collection (related materials)
In Popular Culture
- Portrayed in Ken Burns' documentary and Ava DuVernay's television series
Quotes
-
I was closest to God in prison.
Source: Yaqeen Institute (interview) (2021)
Trivia
- Has ten children (three stepchildren)
- Widely known as a member of the Central Park Five (later the Exonerated Five)