Pulitzer Prizes Highlight Diverse 2025 Arts Winners

The 2025 Pulitzer Prizes recognized a diverse array of voices across the arts, with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' play 'Purpose' winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for its exploration of generational conflict and heritage within a Black family, and Percival Everett receiving the Fiction award for 'James,' a retelling of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' from Jim's perspective. Both works have received critical acclaim and highlight themes of race, family, and legacy. Other notable winners included Edda L. Fields-Black for her historical account of Harriet Tubman’s Combahee River Raid and Jason Roberts for his dual biography of naturalists Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon. 'Purpose' also garnered multiple Tony Award nominations, while Everett's win follows increased recognition after 'American Fiction,' the film adaptation of his novel 'Erasure.' The 2025 awards reflect a renewed focus on retelling American history and examining complex identities. This year's Pulitzer winners are celebrated for challenging traditional narratives and offering new perspectives on enduring issues.