A political scientist who studies what helps people connect across differences. A novelist whose books about Native American communities in Oakland, California, sparked a passionate following. A photographer whose black and white images investigate poverty in America.

Hahrie Han, Tommy Orange and Matt Black are among the 22 fellows selected this year by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and announced Wednesday. It's a recognition often called the “genius award,” which comes with an $800,000 prize , paid over five years that fellows can spend however they choose.

The foundation selects fellows over the course of years, considering a vast range of recommendations, largely from their peers.

“Each class doesn’t have a theme and we’re not creating a cohort around a cert

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