Archive Posts
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In the News: Yohuru Williams on MPD Consent Decrees
In the NewsDr. Yohuru Williams, the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently joined PBS’ “Almanac” to discuss the Minneapolis Police Department’s pending federal consent decree, which is on hold another 30 days after a federal judge granted the extension requested by the Trump administration. From the interview: Host: Is there…
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In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Explains Origins of Black History Month
Racial Justice InitiativeThe Distinguished University Chair, Professor of History, and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, Dr. Yohuru Williams, recently weighed in on the importance of Black History Month in the Minnesota Star Tribune. In the article, Williams reflects on the origins of the observance, which began as Black History… -
Dr. Yohuru Williams Has Powerful Conversation on PBS with Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Professional NotesDr. Yohuru Williams, distinguished University Chair and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently appeared in the PBS documentary Great Migrations: A People on the Move, hosted by historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. The four-part series explores the African American migration experience, examining how migration has shaped the… -
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… -
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…