“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 second annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence is Mr. Ravi Howard for his novel, Like Trees, Walking. Mr. Howard received a $10,000 award and commemorative sculpture created by artist Robert Moreland at the award ceremony January 29, 2009 at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge.

His  novel was selected from 21 qualified entries from across the country by a panel of nationally-known judges.

The award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to honor Mr. Gaines, is designed to inspire and recognize African-American writers of excellence as they work to achieve the literary heights for which Ernest J. Gaines is known.