Jamaican Poet Yashika Graham shortlisted for 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry

Acclaimed Jamaican poet Yashika Graham has earned a coveted spot on the shortlist for the 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry with her debut collection, Some of Us Can Go Back Home.

The recognition is a milestone for the Westmoreland native, whose work explores themes of home, identity, and self-discovery through evocative verse.

Published by Blue Banyan Books, Graham’s collection has been praised for its lyrical depth and emotional resonance. A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program, Graham channels Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage and rural landscapes in her work, delving into love, loss, healing, and the search for belonging.

Renowned poet Shara McCallum, author of No Ruined Stone, lauded Graham’s debut, calling it “a song to sustain the spirit.” She added, “Yashika Graham tackles difficult subjects while grounding her poems in family, faith, and home.” Graham’s style has drawn comparisons to revered Jamaican poets such as Lorna Goodison, Olive Senior, and Edward Baugh.

The OCM Bocas Prize is regarded as one of the most prestigious literary honors in the Caribbean, celebrating the best in Caribbean literature published in the previous year. For the 2025 edition, the shortlist has expanded to include five books per genre category. Graham’s Some of Us Can Go Back Home stands out among a competitive selection of poets, including Anthony Vahni Capildeo and Mervyn Taylor. Meanwhile, the nonfiction category features esteemed writers such as Edwidge Danticat and Dionne Brand.

- Advertisement -

Expressing her gratitude for the nomination, Graham said, “To be shortlisted for such a revered award alongside so many brilliant writers is a true honor.”

The winner of the OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry, along with winners in fiction and nonfiction, will be revealed on Sunday, April 6, 2025. These category winners will then compete for the overall OCM Bocas Prize, which carries a $10,000 USD cash award. The final announcement will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, during the 15th annual Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

The OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, established in 2011, honors outstanding works in poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction by Caribbean-born or Caribbean-citizen authors. Recognized as a premier literary award in the region, it highlights the diverse voices shaping the Caribbean’s literary landscape and its diaspora.

Graham’s recognition with this shortlist spotlights not only her talent but also the vibrancy of contemporary Caribbean poetry. Whether she claims the top prize or not, Some of Us Can Go Back Home has already cemented her place as a poet to watch.

More Stories

stuart-young-trinidad

Trinidad’s general election date announced: April 28, 2025

Prime Minister Stuart Young has announced that Trinidad and Tobago’s general election will be held on April 28, 2025. The announcement came on Tuesday,...
US travel ban

US dismisses travel ban reports that include Caribbean nations

The U.S. Department of State has dismissed reports suggesting that a new travel ban could impact multiple countries, including several in the Caribbean. Despite...
Antigua and Barbuda says it will accept nationals deported from the US

Antigua PM faces US scrutiny over Russian megayacht sale

A U.S. federal judge has authorized attorneys representing a Russian woman to access financial records related to the controversial sale of a seized megayacht...
St. Vincent Guyana-Venezuela border

St. Vincent Prime Minister Gonsalves meets Maduro over Guyana-Venezuela border tensions

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has confirmed that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves traveled to Venezuela to meet with President Nicolás...
Haiti

Armed gangs in Haiti attack three news outlets in coordinated assault

Armed gangs launched coordinated attacks on three major media outlets in Haiti's capital over the weekend, escalating concerns over press freedom and the government's...
Denise Simmons

Haitian-Amerian South Florida entrepreneur M. Denise Simmons named Franchisee of the Year

In a groundbreaking achievement during Women’s History Month, M. Denise Simmons, a first-generation Haitian-American businesswoman, has been named Franchisee of the Year by the...
Antigua Barbuda aerial

Antigua and Barbuda’s economy surpasses pre-pandemic levels, driven by tourism

Antigua and Barbuda’s economy continues its post-pandemic rebound, with real output surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Growth was estimated at 4.3%, fueled by a strong...
Guyana to begin Construction on seven new hospitals

Guyana aims to become regional pharmaceutical, vaccine manufacturing hub

The future of Guyana’s healthcare system is taking shape with ambitious plans to build six new hospitals, modernize outdated regulations, and establish the country...
Doctors Without Borders suspends operations again in Haiti

Doctors Without Borders suspends operations again in Haiti

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has once again suspended operations at its Turgeau Emergency Centre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, following an alarming escalation of...
Grenada’s Opposition leader Dr Keith Mitchell says he will not be seeking re-election

Former Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell collapses during political meeting

Former Grenadian Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell collapsed on Monday evening while addressing supporters of the New National Party (NNP) at a political meeting...

Latest Articles

Skip to content