Current Invitational Fellowships
Indigenous Knowledges Holder Circles
The Indigenous Knowledges Holder Circles offers a unique opportunity for (elder) language keepers and knowledge holders and (younger) knowledge learners to convene, exchange ideas, rejuvenate, and build meaningful connections. This project aims to share knowledge, culture and Indigenous language across generations in a sanctuary space. The project offers circles at Mesa Refuge. First, three knowledge […]
Leading Edge Fellowship
Leading Edge Fellows are progressive movement leaders who are pursuing bold visions for change for Black communities and communities of color. Their work is supported by several foundations including the Rosenberg Foundation. Kendra Fox-Davis, Chief Program Officer at the Rosenberg Foundation, established this residency soon after she visited Mesa Refuge in 2022. Kendra said, “Our […]
- 2023: Cat Brooks, Shimica Gaskins, Chaney Turner, Malkia Devich Cyril
Manzanita Fellowship for Racial, Economic and Environmental Justice
The Manzanita Fellowship for Racial, Economic and Environmental Justice supports visionaries working at the intersections and edges of racial, social, and environmental justice who use their creative energy as writers, journalists, playwrights, and more to help catalyze a better future for all. Manzanita Fellows are selected by Mesa Refuge staff and alum Anna Lappé. The author or […]
- 2023: Lyla June Johnston
Toby Symington Sacred Advocacy Fellowship
The Toby Symington Sacred Advocacy Fellowship supports those writers who are advocates of truth and equity— who feel a deep connection with the sacred and who apply the wisdom at the core of the major spiritual traditions to the cause of social, ecological, and geopolitical justice. The fellowship looks to support, in particular, women who […]
- 2023: Gwen Mitchell
Jennifer Egan Creative Approaches to Mental Health Fellowship
A generous donor created this fellowship in Jennifer Egan’s honor. Jennifer has chosen to direct the fellowship toward supporting writers in any genre whose work meaningfully addresses the struggles of the mentally ill. A journalist as well as a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, Jennifer has written for the New York Times Magazine about self-injury, opioid addiction, […]
- 2023: Susannah Dainow
- 2022: Jono Oliver
The May and Jack Elinson Public Health Fellowship
This fellowship honors the legacy of public health advocates May and Jack Elinson. May Elinson served as a public health nutritionist in the Prenatal and Family Planning Clinic at Martland Hospital in Newark, New Jersey (now the NJ College of Medicine). With compassion and skill, she helped high-risk mothers provide a healthier diet for themselves […]
- 2023: Josephine Ensign
- 2022: Marielena Hincapie
Judith Tannenbaum Teaching Artist Fellowship
Judith Tannenbaum was a Bay Area writer and teacher who was a national leader in the field of community arts. In addition to publishing numerous books of poetry, memoir, and creative writing curriculum, Judith worked passionately to train over one hundred teaching artists to work in community settings (prisons, libraries, schools) to encourage a writing practice […]
- 2023: Duane Horton
- 2021: Perla Yasmeen Meléndez
Peter Barnes Long-Form Journalism Fellowship
The Peter Barnes Long-Form Journalism fellowship was created to honor Mesa Refuge founder Peter Barnes. A journalist and writer for much of his life, Peter wrote for Newsweek and the New Republic and developed a deep appreciation for long-form journalism.
- 2022: Maya Dusenbery
- 2021: Jeanne Carstensen
Refuge for Activists Fellowship
In these times, an ongoing, steady effort by activists of all kinds has become critical. Refuge for Activists is our first residency dedicated to supporting those who need a place where they can recharge their batteries before returning to the world with renewed focus and resilience.
- 2023: Erika Allen, Ayana Zaire Cotton, Karla Monterroso
- 2022: Shorlette Ammons, Dara Cooper, Navina Khanna
Howard and Phyllis Friedman Fellowship for an Inclusive Economy
Mesa Refuge Alum Bob Friedman created the Friedman Fellowship to honor his parents and to support the work of future residents working on issues of inclusive economy.
- 2023: Natalie Foster
- 2022: Sameer Ashar
Michael Pollan Journalism Fellowship
The Michael Pollan Journalism Fellowship supports emerging journalists in print and other media who offer thoughtful coverage of connections between humans and nature.
- 2022: Alice Driver
- 2021: Geeta Maker-Clark
Terry Tempest Williams Fellowship for Land and Justice
The Terry Tempest Williams Fellowship for Land and Justice supports an outstanding writer focusing on our relationship with the natural world to work at the Mesa Refuge each year.
- 2019: McKenzie Long
- 2018: Fred Bahnson
Pamela Krasney Moral Courage Fellowship
The Pamela Krasney Moral Courage Fellowship supports Mesa Refuge residents whose writing shows moral courage.
- 2023: Kung Li Sun
- 2022: Susan Glisson
Human Rights Cohort
The Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley School of Law partners with the Mesa Refuge to create the Human Rights Fellowship, in which fellows are selected to participate in a two-week writing retreat at Mesa Refuge.
- 2022: Mara Kardas-Nelson, Natalie Cadwalader-Schultheis, Bhavya Joshi
- 2021: Audrey Taylor, Cortelyou Kenney, Suzanne Caflisch
Marion Weber Healing Arts Fellowship
The Marion Weber Healing Arts Fellowship supports writers working as healing artists or in the healing arts fields.
- 2023: David Fenster, AriDy Nox, Rob Chaney, Redwing Keyssar
- 2022: Amanda Mei Kim, Nina Gheihman, Yeva Johnson, Peter Gleick, Tara Duggan, Vanessa Daniel, Helen Whybrow, Julia Harte, Teresa Jordan , Clayton Aldern
Alice Dorrance Spiritual Writing Fellowship
The Alice Dorrance Spiritual Writing Fellowship supports the interpretation of connections between our inner and outer worlds in all genres.
- 2023: Vijaya Nagarajan
- 2022: Wendy Johnson
West Marin Community Fellowships
The West Marin Community Fellowships support the creative projects of people nominated by West Marin’s rich network of non-profit organizations.
- 2023: Dewey Livingston, Elia Haworth, Theresa Harlan
- 2020: Molly Parent, Todd Plummer, Bonnie Guttman
Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation Health Writing Fellowship
The Jacob and Valeria Langeloth Foundation Health Writing Fellowship supports writing on creative approaches to health and well-being.
- 2023: Dashka Slater
- 2022: May Jeong