Archive Posts
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Dr. Yohuru Williams Reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy for a New Generation
Racial Justice InitiativeThe founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at St. Thomas, Dr. Yohuru Williams, was the emcee for the 39th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for the state of Minnesota. The “One Dream, One Minnesota” event was held at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul. Williams, a Distinguished University Chair…
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In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Commentary on President’s Executive Orders About DEI
Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Yohuru Williams, the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, teamed up with adjunct faculty member and ODEI ambassador Sheree Curry for a commentary about President Trump’s executive orders centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It was published in the Minnesota Star Tribune. From the commentary: “The executive… -
An Excerpt From New Book on Dr. King Co-Authored by Dr. Yohuru Williams
Racial Justice InitiativeA new book on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the young adult category (ages 12-18) is an adaptation of Jonathan Eig’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller King: A Life. The adaptation is co-authored by Dr. Yohuru Williams, the Distinguished University Chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on National Discussion Around DEI Initiatives
In the NewsYohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently joined WCCO Radio to discuss the future of DEI initiatives under a new administration in Washington, D.C. From the interview: “The reality is that right now what we’re seeing nationally is a lot of discussion around companies retreating from… -
Finding Forward: Amid Political Division, President Carter’s Pastor Offers Hope
Racial Justice InitiativePastor Tony Lowden, who also served in the Trump administration, talked about faith, helping others, and rising above partisanship at a University of St. Thomas Finding Forward event. To help people of all political persuasions find common ground, Pastor Tony Lowden, who has served both Democrats and Republicans, including with the Trump administration, offered a… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the Waning Momentum for Racial Justice
In the NewsYohuru Williams, PhD, distinguished university chair and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently published a joint op-ed in the Star Tribune about how nearly five years since the murder of George Floyd, momentum around racial justice has largely been replaced by apathy and a growing indifference to the difficult, transformative… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on How Cellphones Empower Youth to Expose Injustice
In the NewsYohuru Williams, PhD, distinguished university chair and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with the Star Tribune about the power of cellphone videos as modern tools for civil rights, showing how they help expose racial injustice and empower young people to document the truth. From the story: A cellphone… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the VP Debate Navigating Immigration, Racial Justice and Culture War Flashpoints
In the NewsYohuru Williams, PhD, distinguished university chair and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with Politico to share his insights on the cultural and political issues in the vice presidential debate, including immigration and racial justice. From the story: The face-off between Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz could be… -
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… -
Dr. Yohuru Williams Publishes Book About James Weldon Johnson
Professional NotesDr. Yohuru Williams has co-authored an illustrated children’s book about civil rights activist and writer James Weldon Johnson. Let Us March On!: James Weldon Johnson and the Silent Protest Parade addresses how Johnson was instrumental in the first mass, all-Black march for civil rights in the U.S. when 10,000 Black protesters, including children, marched down New…