Archive Posts
-
First Friday: Intersection of Race and Sports Discussion With Minnesota Twins CEO
Racial Justice InitiativeDave St. Peter, president and CEO of the Minnesota Twins, and Yohuru Williams, PhD, director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, sat down at Target Field to discuss the historical and contemporary lessons being learned at the intersection of race and sports. The conversation was aired in the middle of…
-
In the News: Yohuru Williams on Realtors Apologizing for Discriminatory Practices
Racial Justice InitiativeYohuru Williams, PhD, recently spoke with WCCO Radio about the history of systemic racism in the Minneapolis real estate industry, following an apology from the Minneapolis Area Realtors group. Williams is distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas. From the story: "What happened is… -
NY Times Reviews Yohuru Williams' New Jackie Robinson Book
Professional Notes“Impressively researched” are the words that The New York Times used to describe a book about Jackie Robinson that is co-written by Dr. Yohuru Williams, distinguished history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at St. Thomas. The New York Times reviewed Williams' book Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black… -
In the News: People Magazine Selects Yohuru Williams' Book as a Must-Read for Fall
In the NewsPeople magazine recently selected the best books to read for fall 2022 and Call Him Jack, co-authored by Dr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative, and Michael Long, made the list under the young adult category. Call Him Jack, a biography about baseball legend Jackie Robinson, is described by the publisher as… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on 50% Increase in Bias-Motivated Crimes
In the NewsAccording to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, incidents of bias-motivated crimes have increased by 50% since 2015. According to Dr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) at the University of St. Thomas, these crimes can range from graffiti to physical violence, as Minnesota's bias-motivated criminal statute is very broad. Since… -
In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams on Future Minneapolis Police Reform
In the NewsDr. Yohuru Williams spoke with KSTP-TV on future reforms in the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). Residents met at the Windom Recreation Center on July 10 to voice opinions on a legal consent decree involving the MPD and Minnesota Department of Human Rights. From the story: University of St. Thomas professor, Dr. Yohuru Williams, told the… -
In the News: Juneteenth must be a day of service and remembrance
Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, wrote an op-ed about Juneteenth that was published in USA Today on June 20, the day the holiday was federal observed this year. The full opinion piece can also be read on Yahoo! News without a subscription. Below is… -
History of Juneteenth and Moving Forward
Racial Justice InitiativeTo understand the history and significance of Juneteenth and what it will take to move beyond symbolism, Dr. Yohuru Williams, distinguished university chair and professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas spoke with YES! Racial Justice Editor Sonali Kolhatkar. Quotes from Dr. Williams in the… -
In the News: Advising St. Paul on Reparations Plans
In the NewsYohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, is quoted in a Star Tribune article about the city of St. Paul's intent to make reparations to Black descendants of slaves. At a June 15 council meeting, Williams and other members of the city's reparations advisory group… -
Juneteenth and a Moment of Reckoning
Racial Justice InitiativeAs the U.S. prepares to commemorate the federal holiday Juneteenth, which marks the date (June 19, 1865) when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free, the nation is at a moment of reckoning and we must make everyday commitments to justice, says Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St.…