The Studios of Key West and La Maison Baldwin Announce Partnership
and Welcome 2025 Residency Fellows 

Key West, FL – In recognition of the centennial of James Baldwin’s birth, The Studios of Key West has partnered with La Maison Baldwin to support their “24 Black Writers in 2024-2025” initiative. This collaboration brings three exceptional Black writers to Key West for residency fellowships in May 2025, offering them the space and inspiration to build on the work of one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

La Maison Baldwin, a non-profit that began in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, where Baldwin spent his final years, fosters creativity, equity, and cultural exchange while preserving the profound impact of James Baldwin’s work. The organization serves as a sanctuary for writers and a hub for global dialogue.

The writers selected through the partnership exemplify the depth and diversity of thought Baldwin championed, with each bringing unique perspectives to issues of identity, equity, and culture:

Dr. Sonia Mae Brown, from Little Rock, AR, is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Arts and Humanities at Philander Smith University. She is a scholar whose work focuses on gender, sexuality, and Black female eroticism. With a doctorate from Howard University and a Masters in Creative and Professional Writing from Long Island University, Dr. Brown describes herself as a “Literary Sexual Anthropologist.” Her scholarship seeks to frame eroticism as a critical lens for textual inquiry, pushing boundaries in academic and literary spaces. Dr. Brown is passionate about enriching current scholarship on The Erotic and elevating its significance as a tool for intellectual exploration.

Dr. Royel M. Johnson, based in Los Angeles, CA, is one of the nation’s leading voices on diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. A tenured professor and PhD program chair at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, he also serves as Director of the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates at USC’s Race and Equity Center. Johnson is the author of five books and over 60 scholarly works, and he was recently recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a DEIA Visionary for his impactful contributions to the field.

Dr. MaryLouise Patterson, from New York, NY, is a retired pediatrician and advocate for universal healthcare who draws inspiration from her upbringing in a family deeply rooted in the Black Radical tradition. Educated in the USSR and UC Berkeley, Dr. Patterson co-authored Letters from Langston: From the Harlem Renaissance to the Red Scare and Beyond. Her work and activism celebrate the richness of Black history and culture. An avid lover of jazz, art, and political discourse, Dr. Patterson continues to champion justice and equity in healthcare and beyond.

Together, these writers bring bold perspectives, groundbreaking scholarship, and a passion for cultural and intellectual exploration that continue to push boundaries and inspire meaningful dialogue.

“This partnership represents the power of art and storytelling to connect communities across time and place,” says Jed Dodds, Executive Director of The Studios of Key West. “We’re thrilled to welcome these accomplished writers and to continue Baldwin’s enduring legacy of fostering creativity and dialogue.”

For more information about the Peyton Evans Artist Residency (PEAR) Program at The Studios of Key West, or upcoming events, visit www.tskw.org.

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