Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers

In a Nutshell

GrubStreet’s Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers provides financial and professional development support to two self-identified Black writers interested in teaching classes, participating in events, and working with our instructors and staff to deepen our curriculum. The fellowship includes compensation of $25,000, artistic mentorship, and access to the GrubStreet community and the Muse and the Marketplace conference. In time, the program aims to offer sustainable support to Black Writers and create a cohort of fellows who have direct access to GrubStreet resources, classes, and events. We also hope the fellows can influence GrubStreet’s pedagogy and cultural vision based on their experience and feedback.

The application for 2024-2025 the Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers is now closed. Final decisions will be announced mid-July.

Details

The fellowship begins September 3rd, 2024 and runs through the end of August 2025.

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is open to writers who self-identify as Black, are 18 or older, are able to work with both adult and teen audiences, and have a passion for expansive pedagogy, curriculum development, and professional growth. Ideal candidates will have some publication and teaching experience. Preference will be given to those working on their first book or a larger project. MFAs, a long publishing record, or extensive teaching experience are not requirements to apply, though feel free to tell us if you have any of these things.

Covid-19 Update: GrubStreet’s programming is currently taking place both virtually and in-person. We hope fellows will be able to join us in-person later in 2024 and 2025. Priority will be given to applicants who will be able to join us in Boston when it's safe to do so. Learn more about GrubStreet’s Covid-19 updates.

How to Apply

The Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers Application Form will require the following:

• A personal statement (500 words max), which should include:
• Your background as a writer and teacher
• Your personal philosophy or approach to creative writing workshops
• How this particular fellowship fits your interests and goals as a writer and educator
• Your CV or resume
• A writing sample (20 pages limit for prose; 12 pages for poetry; 25 pages for scripts; and 20 pages for other or fused genres) that best exemplifies your current trajectory as a writer
• Two personal references (name, email, and phone number) who can speak to your experience and dedication to writing and teaching

Important Dates

• Applications open: Thursday, February 15, 2024
• Deadline: Thursday, May 30, 2024
• Applications will be reviewed by a panel composed of GrubStreet’s program staff
• Final decisions will be announced mid-July
• Program kicks off on September 3, 2024 and runs through the end of August 2025

Questions?

If you have specific questions about the Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers, email [email protected] or call the office anytime at 617.695.0075.

Thank you to The Beker Foundation, GrubStreet's lead funder for this fellowship. We also thank the Barr Foundation and individual donors for additional contributions that make this program possible.

2024-2025 Teaching Fellows

We’re thrilled to introduce the 2024-2025 Teaching Fellows: Toni Bee and Fabienne François Keck!

2023-2024 Teaching Fellows

We’re thrilled to introduce the 2023-2024 Teaching Fellows: Jonathan Todd and Jaquinn Sinclair!

2022-2023 Teaching Fellows

We’re thrilled to introduce the 2022-2023 Teaching Fellows: Claudia Wilson and Nakia Hill!

2021-2022 Teaching Fellows

We’re thrilled to introduce the 2021-2022 Teaching Fellows: Simone Dalton and Crystal Valentine!

Testimonials

“Being selected as one of GrubStreet's inaugural Black Teaching Fellows was a great joy.

During the fellowship year, GrubStreet's program team outlined teaching expectations and the course selection was largely self-directed by each fellow. However, there was room to reflect and adjust. Check-in opportunities were provided and I reached out to discuss ideas and challenges.

As a memorist and essayist I taught courses in the nonfiction genre, as well as experimented by creating new courses. One of those courses helped me define my voice as an educator who sees writerly self-care as integral to the writing practice. In the coming weeks, I will be 'tryin a ting' with new programming with the Young Adult Writers Program that merges the storytelling mode of nonfiction with drama.

There were times during the fellowship when my insecurities as an emerging educator tried to take hold. In those moments, I reached out to the GrubStreet community, especially other Black and POC educators within the organization. This access to community and informal mentorship was one of the reasons I applied to the fellowship.

Ultimately, this opportunity has been a foundational step to practice developing inclusive curricula and interrogating Western modes of storytelling. I am also grateful for the ways it has poured into my own creative process.”

– Simone Dalton, 2021-2022 Teaching Fellow

"In the words of Audre Lorde, 'Poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence.' This is very true for my own approach towards the work that I do as a poet and educator; however, securing the time and financial stability to support myself as I embark on my poetic endeavors can become challenging, especially in the face of an ongoing pandemic. My position as a GrubStreet Teaching Fellow has helped alleviate this challenge by allowing me the time and space to tap into the necessity of my existence as a writer, while also providing the opportunity to develop my pedagogy by teaching classes for GrubStreet participants. I am grateful to GrubStreet for establishing a program that centers Black artists and I am excited to welcome new members and see the ways this unique cohort will continue to grow in the future."

– Crystal Valentine, 2021-2022 Teaching Fellow