Archive Posts
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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…
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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… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the Legacy of Black Culture and Food
Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Yohuru Williams, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, was recently featured on The Grio discussing the influence that African Americans have had on foods that built America. From the interview: Williams: Pork, chitlins. Today, we know about the complicated legacy of… -
Black History Month: Tommies Examine the Role of Sports in Breaking Down Barriers
Racial Justice InitiativeThe University of St. Thomas Athletics Department celebrated Black History Month with a variety of programming, including a discussion regarding the impact of athletics on the movements of equality and justice that took place Feb. 20 in the Schoenecker Arena at the Anderson Athletics and Recreation Complex. Facilitated by Dr. Yohuru Williams, Distinguished University Chair… -
In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Discusses Food, TV and Culture
Racial Justice InitiativeWhen the Emmys online magazine interviewed Dr. Yohuru Williams, the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, it referenced how the historian is a “go-to expert on the History Channel series ‘The Food That Built America.’” The fifth season of the docuseries, which premiered Feb. 25, explores… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the Voting Rights Symposium Hosted by the Racial Justice Initiative at St. Thomas
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with FOX 9 about the Voting Rights Symposium, which was held at the university on Feb. 1. From the story: “A big part of this is how do we do that? How do we include… -
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 MLK Day and the State of Racial Justice Efforts in America Today
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, joined WCCO Radio on air following the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast to talk about Dr. King’s legacy and the contemporary efforts to advance racial justice. From the interview: Host: “In these moments when we’re at… -
Racial Justice Initiative to Host Voting Rights Symposium; Governor and Attorney General to Speak
Racial Justice InitiativeThe Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, in collaboration with FairVote Minnesota and other nonprofits and universities, is co-hosting an in-person Symposium on Voting Rights: Our Past, Our Present, Our Future on Feb. 1 to kick off Black History Month. The symposium, which recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act,… -
Yohuru Williams Recognized as a Community Leader During MLK Day Event
Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative, was recognized as a community changemaker by General Mills and the United Negro College Fund on MLK Day at the 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast in Minneapolis. Williams was the moderator of the conversation "Leading Onward: Elevating New Voices for Justice &…