This fellowship is named in honor of the late scholar, poet, and professor, Dr. Carmen R. Gillespie. A double Duke, Dr. Gillespie received her bachelor's and master's degrees from James Madison University, where she studied with Furious Flower founder, Dr. Joanne Gabbin. Dr. Gillespie was active on campus and founded the JMU Women of Color organization, which continues to this day. Dr. Gillespie went on to earn a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Emory University. Her scholarship focused on Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and various aspects of American and Caribbean literature and culture. She published three award-winning books of poetry, critical collections on Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, and received several prestigious fellowships for her writing. At the time of her passing, she was a beloved professor at Bucknell University, where she was the director of the Griot Institute for the Study of Black Lives and Culture. Before settling at Bucknell University, she taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Mary Washington, and the University of Toledo. This fellowship honors her commitment to educating others about Black poetry and culture.

Fellow Responsibilities

During the tenure of their fellowship, students will:

• Spend 6 hours per week at the center
• Assist in hosting Furious Flower events
• Post to the "Fellow's Blogspot" on the Furious Flower website
• Serve as a liaison between the center and the campus community
• Develop and execute/contribute to a project related to Black Poetry

Award

The Carmen R. Gillespie Fellowship in Black Poetry and Culture awards $1,500 for a semester-long fellowship with the option to extend in the spring for a total of $3,000.

Eligibility

The Carmen R. Gillespie Fellowship is open to James Madison University students in good academic standing. Students must have a demonstrable interest in Black literature/culture, and may not have been a fellowship recipient in the three years prior.

Application Process

Applicants for the fellowship will submit the following via email:

• Completed application form (this will include a short description of their prior engagement with Furious Flower)
• One letter of reference
• Unofficial transcript
• A statement of purpose explaining their interest in the fellowship and how it will benefit them.

Selected finalists will be invited for interviews.

Applications are open from May 1st to June 30th of each year, and the Fellow(s) will be announced by mid-August.