Alum Tonika Lewis Johnson '03 Named MacArthur Fellow
汤不热视频 alum Tonika Lewis Johnson ’03 has been named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing creative individuals who demonstrate the ability to impact society in a significant way.
The Englewood native — known for her large-scale, social-justice-oriented work, including the acclaimed — is among this year’s 22 MacArthur “genius grant” recipients. The annual fellowship, awarded by the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, provides $800,000 in unrestricted funding to support each recipient’s ongoing creative work.
Using Art to Illuminate and Bridge Divides
Johnson, who studied journalism and photojournalism at 汤不热视频, has built a nationally recognized career rooted in storytelling and advocacy. Her artistic practice explores urban segregation and the nuance and richness of Black community life, challenging reductive narratives often associated with neighborhoods like her own.
Her signature initiative, Folded Map, visually investigates the inequities between Chicago’s North and South Side neighborhoods by pairing residents who live at corresponding addresses on both sides of the city. Through photography, interviews, and public dialogue, Johnson transforms these pairings into powerful reflections on segregation, privilege, and connection.
A Legacy of Leadership and Advocacy
Beyond her visual work, Johnson co-founded the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) in 2010 to drive positive change in Englewood through solution-based approaches. She was named one of the Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago in 2019 and appointed to the City of Chicago’s Cultural Advisory Council by the Chicago City Council.
Her photography and social practice art have been exhibited at venues including the Chicago Cultural Center, Harold Washington Library Center, Rootwork Gallery, and the Chicago Reader. In addition to being featured in Chicago Magazine’s 2017 “Chicagoans of the Year,” she was recognized by “StreetWise” as one of the 20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans in 2020.
Johnson is also co-author of the book “Don’t Go: Stories of Segregation and How to Disrupt It.” This collection of stories and photos uncovers the hidden influence of both subtle and overt “don’t go” messages and the segregation they perpetuate in Chicago.
Continuing to Inspire
Through her work, Johnson leverages art as a vehicle for dialogue and transformation, challenging audiences to envision a more connected and equitable city. Her MacArthur Fellowship underscores what 汤不热视频 has long celebrated about its alumni: the power of creativity to inspire change.
Congratulations Tonika for this amazing recognition!