Archive Posts
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In the News: Yohuru Williams on the History of Police Reform in Minneapolis
In the NewsFounding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, Dr. Yohuru Williams, sat down with MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the long and complex history of police reform in Minneapolis, a topic often framed around the events of 2020, but with roots stretching back more than a century. From the…
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In the News: Yohuru Williams on Jackie Robinson’s Quiet Strength
In the NewsDr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, sat down with Katy Milkman, host of the “Choiceology” podcast, to explain how Jackie Robinson’s restraint and strategic discipline helped dismantle racial barriers in Major League Baseball. From the podcast:Katy Milkman: But the kind of man that it took to do… -
Art as History: ‘This Is Water’ Brings Racial Justice Conversations to Life
Racial Justice InitiativeHistory is not confined to textbooks. It lives in stories and the ways people remember, reckon, and reimagine their shared past. That’s a message that is important to Dr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) at the University of St. Thomas. As a historian and educator, he often turns to various… -
In the News: Shaherzad Ahmadi on Peace in the Middle East
In the NewsThis week saw the Israeli government and Hamas agree to a peace deal. Shaherzad Ahmadi, associate professor of history, spoke with Vineeta Sawkar at WCCO Radio about the significance of the deal and the potential political future in the Middle East. From the story: “We now have the first real sign that this war might… -
Tales from the Archives: Echoes from Past Basketball Courts and Hockey Rinks
AthleticsAs we count down to the opening of the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, let’s look back at the many venues St. Thomas basketball and hockey teams once called home. The first St. Thomas basketball team tipped off in 1904 inside a narrow, low-ceiling gym on the first floor of the Dormitory Building. The space… -
Tales from the Archives: 10 Gems Revealing St. Thomas History
People & CultureThe University of St. Thomas archives hold fascinating materials that offer a window into the history and evolving story of campus life, academics, and community. These collections preserve the moments, both monumental and everyday, that have shaped the university’s identity. University Archivist Ann Kenne shares 10 of her favorite items from the collections. General ledger,… -
In the News: Liz Wilkinson on the Social Impact of Women’s Sports
In the NewsDr. Liz Wilkinson, director of the Luann Dummer Center for Women, recently wrote an op-ed for Ms. magazine. She details the recent and historical social justice movements in women’s sports and the surge in popularity that has followed. From the story: On June 14, the players and coaching staff of Angel City Football Club, the women’s… -
Yohuru Williams Featured in HISTORY Channel Special about Jim Thorpe
Professional Notes"Jim Thorpe was at the top of his game." That's a line from Dr. Yohuru Williams, who provides insight into the athletic stamina of football legend Jim Thorpe in the special documentary "Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning." The special premieres Monday, July 7, at 7 p.m. central on The HISTORY Channel. In the trailer, Williams,… -
In the News: Shaherzad Ahmadi on Middle East Conflict
In the NewsShaherzad Ahmadi, associate professor of history at the University of St. Thomas College of Arts and Sciences, recently spoke with Angela Davis at MPR News about the history and complexities of the Iran-Israel-U.S. relationship and possible implication of recent developments. From the story: After the U.S. attacked three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, Israel launched… -
Juneteenth: What to Read to Stay in the Know
St. Thomas 2025 - Foster Belonging and Dismantle RacismYou can read it in a book! In 1863, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free. More than two years would pass, however, before the news reached African Americans living in Texas. It was not…