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Englewood To Celebrate Its MacArthur 'Genius' Fellow, Tonika Lewis Johnson

Chicago, ILLocal News

Tonika Lewis Johnson, an Englewood-based social justice artist, has been awarded the 2025 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, which provides $800,000 to recognize extraordinary talent. The fellowship aims to support individuals who demonstrate originality and dedication in their creative pursuits. Johnson will be celebrated on November 7 at Kennedy-King College, where attendees will engage with her projects, including the Folded Map Project, which examines the impact of segregation. The event will feature emcee Xavier Ramey and discussions with local leaders about Johnson’s contributions to the community. Johnson’s participatory art projects aim to expose systemic inequities faced by Black and Brown communities.

She emphasizes that her work is deeply rooted in her Englewood neighborhood, where she engages local residents in her artistic endeavors. Johnson recently co-authored a book exploring the negative stereotypes associated with segregation. Through her work and this recognition, she hopes to inspire others and highlight the power of community engagement.

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