The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recently announced the 22 latest recipients in its fellowship program, commonly referred to as “genius grants.” MacArthur fellows receive a grant of $800,000 over five years to spend however they want on their academic or creative endeavors. Seven of the 22 winners are Black scholars with ties to the academic world.
The Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation has announced the selection of 24 individuals in this year's class of MacArthur Fellows. Three are African Americans: Kyle Abraham, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Carrie Mae Weems.
Among the 23 MacArthur Foundation Fellow this year are Ethiopian-born writer Dinaw Mengestu and Northwestern University historian Dylan C. Penningroth.