Announcing the 2023 Zócalo Book Prize Shortlist

Congratulations to Saladin Ambar, Michelle Wilde Anderson, Stephanie Cacioppo, Anand Giridharadas, and Gaia Vince

The books shortlisted for the 2023 Zócalo Book Prize address five of the most urgent issues of our current moment: racial inequality, economic inequality, the struggle for human connection, political polarization, and climate change.

Since 2011, Zócalo has honored the author of the nonfiction book that best enhances our understanding of community and the forces that strengthen or undermine human connectedness and social cohesion. This year, the Zócalo staff selected our shortlist from 183 titles submitted by publishers and authors on a broad range of subjects, including biographies (of a diverse …

Youth Development Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Southeast Asian Community Alliance’s Sissy Trinh

A Public Park Should Have a Mix of Uses for a Diverse Population

Sissy Trinh is the founder and executive director of the Southeast Asian Community Alliance. Before joining last May’s Zócalo/Goldhirsh Foundation LA2050 event, “Can We All Live in the Best Version …

Youth Development Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Director of Meztli Projects Joel Garcia

Punk Rock Was My First Community

Joel Garcia is an artist, cultural organizer, and the director of Meztli Projects. Before moderating last May’s Zócalo/Goldhirsh Foundation LA2050 event, “Can We All Live in the Best Version of …

Youth Development Coordinator Gloria Gonzalez | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Youth Justice Coalition’s Gloria Gonzalez

We Have to Take Care of Ourselves to Support Others

Gloria Gonzalez is the youth development coordinator at Youth Justice Coalition. Before joining us at last May’s Zócalo/Goldhirsh Foundation LA2050 event, “Can We All Live in the Best Version of …

Los Angeles Times Columnist Erika D. Smith | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Los Angeles Times Columnist Erika D. Smith

I’ve Been Doing a Lot of Car-Watching

Erika D. Smith is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times writing about the diversity of people and places across California. Before taking part in “How Can Our Communities Escape …

Former California Superior Court Judge B. Scott Silverman | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Former California Superior Court Judge B. Scott Silverman

I’m Not a Very Controversial Person

B. Scott Silverman is a former judge for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County and currently practices as a mediator, private judge, and arbitrator. Before taking part in “How …