Inaugural June Jordan Fellows use the power of art to promote social justice, transcend barriers

The fellowship is named for June Jordan, a Harlem-born poet who used her art to promote social justice, and is funded by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. It is awarded each year to artists dedicated to social justice to encourage open workshops hosted by those artists and Columbia faculty and community members. Fellowship recipients also contribute to the Columbia University Rikers Education Program.

This year’s class of June Jordan Fellowship recipients were photographer Amanda Saviñón, songwriter Afika Nxumalo, and poet Aracelis Girmay.