The Open Society Foundations has announced the 2021 cohort of Soros Justice Fellows.

Seventeen fellows—including documentary filmmakers, lawyers, grassroots organizers, policy advocates, journalists, and authors—will receive stipends ranging from $57,500 to $127,500 in support of projects lasting up to 18 months to ensure accountability in the U.S. criminal justice system.

This year’s fellows include Lis-Marie Alvarado, who will use arts-based organizing and cultural healing to work with unaccompanied immigrant children from Central America harmed by detention; Willette Benford, who will work to support and elevate the leadership of Black women impacted by the criminal legal system; and Cloee Cooper, who will develop a deeply reported podcast on how communities are impacted by far-right and paramilitary-aligned sheriffs. Other fellows include Monica Cosby, who will create a network of women impacted by the criminal legal system and help challenge the harmful narratives surrounding the dichotomy of violent and nonviolent crime; Yusef Presley, who will produce a series of short videos to elevate the voices and experiences of youth directly impacted by the foster care and juvenile justice systems in Kansas; and Lam Thuy Vo, who will write articles that explore the nexus between gentrification and over-policing.

“Our criminal justice system has long been in crisis,” said Open Society-U.S. executive director Tom Perriello. “We are proud to work with the 2021 class of Soros Justice Fellows, who will add new and fresh ideas, leadership, and creativity to a conversation that this country is currently grappling with across the board.”

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