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John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The MacArthur Foundation announced the creation of its last group of scholars and, once again, the winners are very diverse.
The MacArthur Foundation announced the winners of its prestigious Fellowship on Thursday, and this year's course is again a diverse mix of scholars, artists and activists.
Two black women – playwright Dominique Morisseau and choreographer and performer Okwui Okpokwasili – are among the 25 winners this year. Like the other fellows, Morisseau and Okpokwasili were chosen for their outstanding achievements and outstanding talent.
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"Working in a variety of fields from arts and science to public health and civil liberties, these 25 MacArthur Scholars solve long-standing scientific and mathematical challenges, introducing artistic forms into new and emerging territories and meeting urgent needs." communities. Their outstanding creativity inspires hope in all of us, "said Cecilia Conrad, executive director of the MacArthur Fellows program, in a statement posted on the website.
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Born in Detroit, Morisseau's plays are often dedicated to "the lives of individuals and communities struggling with current and historical economic and social changes." A graduate of the University of Michigan, Morisseau's The Detroit Projectt – a trilogy of plays on her hometown – was hailed as a necessary exploration of life in Motor City.
Okpokwasili was born and raised in the Bronx with immigrant parents in Nigeria. She focuses on black women in her work. Her performances and solo performances tell "stories of resistance and resilience" of these women "ignored by mainstream cultural narratives". A graduate of Yale University, Okpokwasili's work explored all Black Women's experiences in the Bronx and the Bring Back Our Girls movement.
The MacArthur Foundation awards $ 625,000 to each of its Fellows who use them as they see fit.
In addition to Morisseau and Okpokwasili, this year's class includes Reverend William J. Barber II, civil rights advocate, community organizer Raj Jayadev, painter Titus Kaphar and writer John Keene.
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