Is Gwendolyn Brooks A-List?
No — Gwendolyn Brooks is currently ranked B tier — a well-known figure with a strong career but not quite a household name.
Ranking Timeline
Publishes *A Street in Bronzeville*
Brooks' first published collection introduces her to a wider audience and establishes her poetic voice.
Wins Pulitzer for *Annie Allen*
Brooks becomes the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, raising her profile significantly.
Named Poet Laureate of Illinois
This appointment solidifies Brooks' role as a leading figure in Illinois' literary community.
Publishes *Blacks*
A collection of her poems solidifies her place in the American canon.
Death at age 83
Brooks passes away, leaving behind a lasting legacy as an important American poet.
A Legacy of Poetic Voice
Brooks is remembered as a major figure in American literature, particularly for her insightful portrayals of African American life.
Last updated: February 25, 2026