The Honors

Awards / Recognitions

Awards and press recognitions spanning 2012 to 2026 — including the Academy of American Poets’ Poets Laureate Fellowship, a Pushcart Prize nomination, and repeated Best Local Poet honors from the San Antonio Current. Read the coverage in the press section.

  1. Best Day Ever

    Poet Andrea ‘Vocab’ Sanderson Writers Her Perfect Day in SA by Express News, article written by Deborah Martin (Jan. 23, 2026).

  2. Pushcart Nomination

    For the poem Venus, Upon Landing by Gnashing Teeth Publishing.

  3. Courage Love Award

    By First Universalist Unitarian Church of San Antonio.

  4. Best Performance Artist

    By Breathe and Rise Awards.

  5. “Vocab is our modern-day griot, Goddess of Groove and Ministress of Move”

    Express News article written by Cary Clack (Oct 25, 2024).

  6. Literary Excellence Award

    By Gemini Ink.

  7. Best Local Poet

    By San Antonio Current.

  8. Artist-in-Residence

    By Democratizing Racial Justice.

  9. The Seasoned Woman — Review

    Review of the theatrical concert at The Carver San Antonio by Scene In SA.

  10. Impact Award

    By Carver Development Board.

  11. Development Fund Awardee

    By National Performance Network.

  12. Best Local Poet

    By San Antonio Current.

  13. Plata Award of Excellence

    By PRSA for voice acting on the “Imagine Your Future” commercial.

  14. Creation Fund Awardee

    By The National Performance Network.

  15. “Poet Laureate Andrea Sanderson champions local music, arts”

    MYSA.com, September 2022.

  16. Poets Laureate Fellowship

    By The Academy of American Poets.

  17. Best Local Poet

    By San Antonio Current.

  18. “Best Literary Advocate: Andrea Vocab Sanderson”

    San Antonio Magazine, March 2021.

  19. Arts and Letters Award

    By Friends of San Antonio Public Library, September 2020.

  20. Best Literary Advocate

    By The San Antonio Magazine, March 2020.

  21. Best Live Entertainer / Live Band of the Year

    17th Annual SEA Awards.

  22. “New Album is Captivating”

    San Antonio Current.

  23. People’s Choice Award

    Artist Foundation of San Antonio, May 2019.

  24. Performer of the Year

    The Creator Awards, Project Forward, February 2019.

  25. People’s Choice Award

    Luminaria Fund / Artist Foundation Grant.

  26. Dream Voice Award

    Dream Voice, Dream Week, June 2018.

  27. “Truth Teller: Andrea Sanderson”

    San Antonio Magazine, May 2018.

  28. “Expand Your Vocabulary: The Untold Story of Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson”

    San Antonio Current, January 3rd Issue 2018.

  29. Influencer of the Year

    The Creator Awards, Project Forward, December 2017.

  30. Top 3 R&B Band/Artist

    San Antonio Current, 2011–2013.

  31. Best Open Mic (National) — 2nd Verse

    National Poetry Awards, 2011–2012.