“The Open Society Foundations are proud to announce their Justice Rising Awards, a new investment in leaders working towards racial justice and equality in the Black community in the United States,” according to the press release. “The 16 awardees from across the country are being recognized for their long-term contributions to advancing change in their communities, tireless commitment to civil rights, and capacity to inspire, innovate, and mobilize people despite considerable odds.”

More than a dozen Black social justice activists will be awarded $150,000 each to continue their often decades-long work for civil rights and to perhaps worry less about paying their bills. Two notable artists/activists selected as award recipients are Monica Raye Simpson — a Black, Southern, lesbian, artist/organizer and executive director of SisterSong — and Prentiss Haney — co-founder of Midwest Culture Lab as an urgent political intervention needed to center and support young artists of color as trusted communicators, organizers, and cultural strategists with the intent of increasing youth civic participation during elections.

Read more about the Justice Rising Awards and the awardees.