Archive Posts
-
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the History and Meaning of Juneteenth
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, joined WCCO Radio on the morning of Juneteenth 2024 to discuss the history and significance of the holiday. From the interview: "People often ask me, what's the difference between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July - is…
-
Voting Rights Symposium at St. Thomas Examines Access to the Ballot Box
Racial Justice InitiativeKicking off Black History Month on Feb. 1, national and state thought leaders and elected officials convened at the University of St. Thomas to examine the past, present and future of voting rights. The Symposium on Voting Rights, co-hosted by the university’s Racial Justice Initiative and FairVote Minnesota, focused on the evolution of access to… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the Sentencing of Former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao
In the NewsYohuru Williams, PhD, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with MPR about the sentencing of the fourth officer involved in the 2020 murder of George Floyd. From the story: “It feels a little anti-climatic and I think that might be true for most… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams Leads ‘Teach-in’ in Florida
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with Inside Higher Ed about why he led 24 hours of teaching and education on the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education from St. Petersburg, Florida. From the story: Williams, who also leads St.… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on Final Conviction Tied to George Floyd’s Murder
In the NewsThree years after the murder of George Floyd, former Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao has been convicted for his role in the deadly incident. Thao was found guilty by a Hennepin County judge on charges of aided and abetted manslaughter in the second degree. The case is expected to be the final one involving officers… -
In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams on Police Reform
In the NewsFounding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative Dr. Yohuru Williams joined WCCO Radio to discuss police reform within the Minneapolis Police Department. Williams spoke of his reaction to the investigative report published on the MPD, and offered his hopes for the future of police culture within Minneapolis. "When we talk about getting at the culture,…