| 2024 | When Crack Was King | Hurston/Wright Legacy Award source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · Historical Nonfiction | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King | National Book Critics Circle Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Finalist · John Leonard Prize | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era | National Book Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Longlist · Nonfiction | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King | Goodreads Choice Awards source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Nominee · History & Biography | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King | TIME Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · 100 Must-Read | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King | Vulture / New York Magazine Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era | New York Public Library Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Best Books for Adults | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era | NPR Books We Love source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Books We Love | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King: A People's History of A Misunderstood Era | Chicago Public Library Best of the Best source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Must-Read Books: Nonfiction | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era | Publishers Weekly Best Books source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Nonfiction | |
| 2023 | When Crack Was King: A People’s History of a Misunderstood Era | Washington Post Best Books of the Year source ↗ (opens in a new tab) | Selection · Notable Nonfiction | |