African-American Professor at Carnegie Mellon University Nominated for National Book Award

Terrance Hayes, professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University, is a finalist for a National Book Award in the poetry category. Hayes was nominated for his collection entitled Lighthead.

Hayes’ nominated work is his fourth book of poetry. His previous work, Wind in a Box, was named one of the best 100 books of the year by Publishers Weekly. An earlier work, Hip Logic, was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award.

Hayes is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Coker College in Hartsville, South Carolina, and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Pittsburgh.

The winners of the National Book Awards will be announced at a New York City ceremony later this month.

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