“My wife, Dianne, and I are very happy to be a part of this exciting project established by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to recognize the best newly published African American writers from across the country.”
– Ernest J. Gaines

The winner of the third annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence is Jeffery Renard Allen for his collection of short stories, Holding Pattern. The award ceremony will be Jan. 28, 2010, at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. The celebration is free and open to the public. Reserve your spot among the limited seats by emailing jfoley@braf.org or calling 225.387.6126.