are very fortunate to have some of our directors with us this afternoon including the founder ishmael reed as well as poet laureate of california, poet laureate of united states, formerly, and author and political commentator. i would begin i thinking our friends at the san francisco public library for hosting the 41st annual american book awards, and also the academy of american poets for their generous support of the before columbus foundation and the ceremonies this afternoon. to begin i would quote from the imminent frederick douglass, find out just what any people will quietly submit to, , and yu a found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them. and these will continue until they are resisted by either words or blows, or both. the limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they all press. all of the winners of the american book award this year have in one way or another refused to submit quietly. all of the winners of the award this year and one way or another have helped illuminate the path towards freedom. i would like to begi