Bao Phi, author, artist, arts administrator, activist and grassroots organizer, is the 2024 Kay Sexton Award winner, announced today by Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. This highest award in the local literary community is given for outstanding dedication and work in fostering books, reading and literary activity in Minnesota.

Phi has been a leader in the state’s literary community for more than 25 years, featured as a poetry performer, children’s book reader and guest workshop leader in hundreds of organizations in Minnesota and around the country from colleges to community centers to prisons and homeless centers, and he has sat on numerous panels where he has advocated for equity for artists from underrepresented communities.

He will be honored at the 36th annual Minnesota Book Awards ceremony May 7 at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul Tickets are $22. Go to thefriends.org/mnba.

Related Articles

Literary calendar for week of March 31

Readers and writers: Mysteries true and fictional, and a gourmet journey

The Hold Steady to release illustrated children’s book in October

Readers and writers: Enger’s latest novel considers a dark future and a sentient Superior — with hope

Literary calendar for week of March 24: Our Mary Ann Grossmann talks to author Danny Klecko