Violinist, professor, pastor among “genius grant” winners

CHICAGO» A violinist who organizes concerts for the homeless, a professor whose research is being used to increase access to civil justice by poor communities and an activist pastor are among this year’s MacArthur fellows and recipients of “genius grants.”

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation on Thursday named 25 people, including academics, activists, artists, scholars and scientists, who will receive $625,000 over five years to use as they please.

The Chicagobased foundation has awarded the fellowships each year since 1981 to people who show outstanding talent to help further their creative, professional or intellectual pursuits. Potential fellows are brought to the foundation’s attention by anonymous nominators. Those selected are sworn to secrecy until their names are announced.

Los Angeles Philharmonic first violinist Vijay Gupta said he was “pretty overwhelmed” when he was told he was named a MacArthur fellow. He received the honor for being the cofounder and artistic director of Street Symphony, which has performed at homeless shelters, jails and halfway houses for about eight years.

“They have reminded me why I became a musician,” Gupta, 31, said of the homeless. “Artists have a role in telling the truth about what is happening in our world.”

Another fellow is Rebecca Sandefur, 47, an associate professor of sociology and law at the University of Illinois. “It was an extraordinary experience and a complete shock,” she said of the honor.

Also named a fellow: William J. Barber II, pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, N.C., and founder of Repairers of the Breach, a leadership organization. In 2017, he began a series of “Moral Monday” rallies at the North Carolina state Capitol to protest laws that suppress voter turnout.