Julius Rosenwald Fellowship
A fellowship established by Julius Rosenwald, the
president of Sears, Roebuck and Company. The
Rosenwald Fund, founded in CHICAGOin 1913,
was a major philanthropic resource for African
Americans. Rosenwald used the foundation to sup-
port African-American advances in science, edu-
cation, politics, the arts, and literature. His
generous investment in historically black colleges
and universities also enabled the creation of the
United Negro College Fund. The Fund awarded a
grant to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OFCOLOREDPEOPLEduring the
GREATDEPRESSIONwhen the civil rights organiza-
tion, like so many others, was staving off financial
disaster. During the Harlem Renaissance, Edwin
Embree served as the Rosenwald Fund’s president.
The Rosenwald fellowship, offered first in
1929, recognized excellence and high potential of
African-American scholars, artists, scientists, politi-
cians, and writers. The award provided financial as-
sistance that often allowed individuals to pursue
academic studies, to immerse themselves in re-
search and writing, and to make significant ad-
vances in their careers. Several winners, such as
artist JACOBLAWRENCE, had major professional ac-
complishments immediately following their tenure
as Rosenwald Fellows.
Julius Rosenwald Fellows included writers
ARNA BONTEMPS,SHIRLEY GRAHAM DUBOIS,
ZORANEALEHURSTON,LANGSTONHUGHES, and
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON. Winning artists in-
cluded AUGUSTASAVAGE, Jacob Lawrence, Eldzier
Cortor, and RICHMONDBARTHÉ. The fellowship
continued to be awarded after the Harlem Renais-
sance period ended. Later winners included James
Baldwin, Jacob Lawrence, and Gordon Parks.
Winners of this fellowship often won or had
earned other prestigious prizes such as the
GUGGENHEIMFELLOWSHIPor HARMONAWARD.Julius Rosenwald Fellowship 295