The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Flamboyan Foundation’s Flamboyan Arts Fund have announced the inaugural cohort of Letras Boricuas Fellows — twenty Puerto Rican writers whose dynamic work spans genres including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and children’s literature.

Established to identify, elevate, and amplify the voices of emerging and established Puerto Rican writers on the island and across the U.S. diaspora, the fellowship provides $25,000 in unrestricted funds and fosters connections among its recipients. Selected by a committee of established Puerto Rican writers, fellows include Mrinali Álvarez Astacio (children’s literature), Francisco Félix (poetry), Amina Lolita Gautier (fiction), Mónica A. Jiménez (poetry), Vanessa Mártir (creative nonfiction), and Manolo Núñez Negrón (fiction).

“Twenty vibrant Puerto Rican voices make up this remarkable initial cohort, each one resonant and powerful,” said Mellon Foundation president Elizabeth Alexander. “These are writers who convey the depth and breadth of Puerto Rico’s stories and histories across literary genres and a range of styles, and who affirm the vital significance of the word through their work. We at Mellon are delighted to continue our multiyear commitment to Puerto Rican writers, and to partner with the Flamboyan Foundation to support these 2021 fellows with the unrestricted funding and flexibility that is so important to their craft.”

“The Letras Boricuas Fellowship exemplifies the Flamboyan Arts Fund’s goal of supporting and sustaining Puerto Rico’s vibrant humanities ecosystem,” said Flamboyan Foundation Puerto Rico president Carlos Rodríguez Silvestre. “We are proud to announce a diverse cohort of 2021 fellows — writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and children’s literature — and to deepen our commitment to this work with the Mellon Foundation.”

For a complete list of Letras Boricuas Fellows, see the Flamboyan Foundation website.