The Cave Canem Foundation has announced Brandon Kilbourne as the winner of the 2025 Cave Canem Prize. This prestigious award, dedicated to amplifying the voices of emerging Black poets, comes with a $10,000 cash prize and the publication of Kilbourne’s manuscript, Natural History, by Graywolf Press.
A Prize with a Legacy of Excellence
Established in 1999, the Cave Canem Prize supports exceptional poetry manuscripts by unpublished Black poets. The inaugural winner, Natasha Trethewey, took the prize with Domestic Work, and this year, Trethewey herself served as the judge. A former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Trethewey praised Kilbourne’s manuscript as “a complex meditation on wonder and devastation… an elegy for the earth.”
Marking its 25th anniversary, the prize will be celebrated with a series of international readings and events in partnership with Graywolf Press. Further details are expected soon.
A Unique Path: From Science to Poetry
Raised in Louisiana, Kilbourne describes himself as a childhood “dinosaur fanatic.” His fascination with fossils led to studies in biological engineering and biomechanics at the University of Chicago. Initially, poetry was a hobby, but a postdoctoral stint in Germany changed his perspective. “Living abroad, I became more serious about writing because isolation allowed me to focus,” he shared.
Now based at the Berlin Museum of Natural History, Kilbourne has found a way to intertwine his scientific expertise with his poetic voice, culminating in Natural History. The collection delves into the intersections of natural history, colonialism, and slavery.
Natural History: Poetry as Witness
The idea for Natural History began to take shape when Kilbourne joined The MuseumLabs, a program that facilitates dialogue among African and European museum professionals on colonialism and restitution.
Through poems like The Giraffe Titan (I), Kilbourne reflects on the juxtaposition of natural wonders and historical injustices. He uses specimens from his museum as metaphors, exploring how the discipline of natural history has been intertwined with colonial exploitation. “While I marvel at the natural world, I also recognize how museums have been implicated in the disregard for non-white communities,” he noted.
Kilbourne is careful to highlight that not all museum collections are products of colonialism, aiming instead to encourage a nuanced view of these institutions’ complex legacies.
Influences and Inspirations
Kilbourne’s work joins the growing tradition of poetry engaging with science. He credits scholars like Kathleen Murphy and poets such as Sterling A. Brown, Wisława Szymborska, Paul Celan, and Natasha Trethewey as key influences. Trethewey’s work, particularly Native Guard, has been pivotal in shaping his approach. “To be selected by her is an exceptional honor,” Kilbourne said.
Looking Ahead
Natural History is set to be published in Fall 2025 and will be available at independent bookstores. Meanwhile, the Cave Canem Prize continues to spotlight transformative voices in poetry.
