George A. Weiss University Professor of Law & Sociology Dorothy Roberts was named on the 2025 “The Closers” list by TIME Magazine.
Penn professor Dorothy Roberts was named on the 2025 List of Closers by TIME Magazine, which recognizes Black leaders working to end inequality.
During the Feb. 13 ceremony in New York City, Roberts joined a cohort of 25 individuals who are making strides toward racial equity. This year, TIME’s Closers List highlights leaders who are broadly addressing racial equity gaps across various sectors, expanding from last year’s focus, which centered specifically on tackling the racial wealth gap.
The 2025 Closer List categorizes honorees into four distinct groups — healers, innovators, leaders, and advocates. Roberts was recognized in the advocates category for her work at the intersection of race, public policy, and social justice.
Other notable honorees include Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas, actor and director Colman Domingo, and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock.
Roberts is a professor at both Penn Carey Law School and the School of Arts and Sciences as well as the founding director of the Penn Program on Race, Science, and Society. Her research focuses on reproductive health and public policy, specifically relating to Black women and families.
In a feature article by TIME Magazine, Roberts was specifically recognized for her advocacy against Child Protective Services as it currently operates. She has been a vocal critic of the child welfare system, arguing that it disproportionately surveils and separates Black families under the guise of protection.
Instead, she calls for a complete restructuring of child welfare policies to prioritize community-based solutions, family support systems, and economic investment in marginalized populations rather than punitive state intervention.
In addition to her recognition by TIME, Roberts was named a MacArthur Fellow in Oct. 2024, earning the "Genius Grant" from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The fellowship provides an $800,000 no-strings-attached grant, allowing her to further her research and advocacy work without financial constraints.
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