For Birmingham native Imani Perry, understanding the South is the key to understanding the nation. That ethos has landed the Princeton University professor one of the nation’s highest literary honors.

In November, Perry won the National Book Award for nonfiction for her acclaimed book “South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation.”

In the book, Perry takes readers on a narrative journey through the American South to examine the region’s role through a series of anecdotes, historical events, and personal experiences.

Among the highest praise for “South to America” comes from fellow scholars and researchers of and from the region.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Isabel Wilkerson called the book an “elegant meditation on the complexities of the American South— and thus of America— by an esteemed daughter of the South and one of the great intellectuals of our time.”

Author and former United States poet laureate Natasha Trethewey called “South to America” an “ambitious sweep of history, culture, and language.”:

“In the tradition of native daughters and sons returning home and cataloging the journey, Imani Perry undertakes an exploration of and meditation on the many Souths that make up the American southland.”

In addition to Perry, the finalists for the National Book Award for nonfiction include “The Invisible Kingdom, Reimagining Chronic Illness,” by Meghan O’Rourke; David Quammer’s “Breathless: The Scientific Race to Defeat a Deadly Virus; “The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir,” by Ingrid Rojas Contreas; and “His Name is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice.”

Perry accepted the award to a standing ovation. She was emotional as she approached the podium, and she began her acceptance speech with a nod to her home state.

“Alabama has a National Book Award,” said Perry as she looked into the audience.

After thanking her community of supporters, friends and family, and honoring her fellow finalists (“Everyone who wrote with a righteous purpose and a stunning pen. Wonderful books”) Perry delivered a passionate dedication.

“I am sweetly indebted and deeply bound to my family and friends from Birmingham, Boston, Philly, Chicago, Milwaukee, Georgia, Tennessee, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and always Mississippi, land of the bluest blues. You know how much I adore y’all,” she said, before promising to continue to bear witness to the best of her ability.

“I write for my people,” Perry continued. “I write because we, children of the lash-scarred, rope choked bullet-ridden, desecrated are still here, standing. I write for the field holler, the shout, the growl, the singer, the signer, and the signified. I write for the sinned against and the sanctifying. I write for the ones who clean the toilets and till the soil and walk the picket lines. For the hungry, the caged, the disregarded, the holding on. I write for you. I write because I love sentences and I love freedom more.”

Perry’s award came amid a celebration of “South to America” in Birmingham.

The book is the first title in Birmingham Reads, a yearlong reading and book club discussion program sponsored by PEN America and its Birmingham chapter, led by poet and author Alina Stefanescu and Ashley M. Jones, Alabama poet laureate.

The program kicked off in September with a celebratory event at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, featuring readings by Ştefănescu, Jones, and poet Keimaya Downey.

[READ MORE: Birmingham literary program to host citywide discussions of Imani Perry’s book ‘South to America’]

Birmingham Reads has hosted a series of talks and workshops at different libraries and bookstores in the metro area, including conversations about Appalachia as well as a poetry writing workshop featuring a discussion about Southern colloquialisms and high art.

The events will culminate on Feb. 1 with an in-person reading and conversation with Perry at Miles College.

In late August, Perry tweeted she was delighted about the Birmingham Reads examination of “South to America”:

“I don’t even have the words for how much this means to me,” wrote Perry. ” ‘Ham is where the heart is.”

Writers and teaching artists leading the program discussions are equally thrilled to welcome Perry back to Birmingham.

Tania Russell, whose collection of poetry “be gentle with Black girls,” debuted last year, said she screamed with excitement when she saw Perry won the National Book Award.

“I feel like I know her through this book. Her voice is so strong. I celebrated with her from a distance,” said Russell. “I feel like this book should be implemented in at least 11th and 12th grade [in] high school, because it’s the best education there is.”

Eric Marable Jr., playwright and creative director of The Flourish, a nonprofit dedicated to the arts, says witnessing Perry’s work has been an amazing experience, particularly as someone from her home state of Alabama.

“It’s amazing,” said Marable. “It’s really speaking to uncovered misconceptions about the South. She’s showing how what happened in the South really set the foundation for the way the rest of America was founded.”

In late December, Barack Obama listed “South to America” on his rundown of favorite books, movies, and music of the year.

Perry’s “South to America” is also on PEN America’s 2023 literary awards longlist. The organization will announce the finalists for the awards on Feb. 23.