Dr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, is featured in Kevin Costner’s The West, an eight-part docuseries that premiered May 26 on the History Channel.
Executive produced by actor Kevin Costner and Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, The West explores the contested and complex history of westward expansion in the United States. Dr. Williams appears throughout the series, offering historical insights that contribute to the show’s critical examination of long-standing myths about the American West.
“I’m both humbled and excited,” said Williams, who regularly appears on a variety of programming on History.
Williams was featured in the official trailer and has appeared in early national coverage, including in an exclusive People magazine article. He also attended the Los Angeles red carpet premiere in Los Angeles in May, joining fellow scholars, cast members, and producers in celebrating the launch of the series.
The West is currently airing on the History Channel and is expected to reach wide audiences through national broadcasts and digital streaming.
