Archive Posts
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In the News: Yohuru Williams on How Presidential Candidate Tim Scott Discusses Systemic Racism
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with The Associated Press about the top Black Republican candidate in the presidential primary. From the story: “He’s a Black man who rejects the idea of systemic racism, which is very popular in Republican circles,”…
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In the News: Yohuru Williams on the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
In the NewsDuring the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, spoke about the topic to several news outlets around the country. He is also the author of a new book on the topic, More Than A Dream: The Radical March on… -
Remembering the March on Washington 60 Years Later
Anti-racism EffortsThe 60th anniversary of the March on Washington is Monday, Aug. 28. While many people hear about that day in the context of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, Dr. Yohuru Williams, the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, says there’s so much more… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the Sentencing of Former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao
In the NewsYohuru Williams, PhD, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with MPR about the sentencing of the fourth officer involved in the 2020 murder of George Floyd. From the story: “It feels a little anti-climatic and I think that might be true for most… -
Racial Justice Initiative: Leading Critical Conversations
Racial Justice InitiativeWhen the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) was founded at the University of St. Thomas in summer 2020, a new lane for powerful and engaging work toward racial justice emerged in the Twin Cities. With a clear and unique vision, its founder, Dr. Yohuru Williams, champions historical recovery as the foundation for revealing the “six degrees… -
Policing MSP: Student Researchers Uncover Truth in Name of Racial Justice
Diversity, Equity and InclusionThe Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas is examining the history of policing in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and the legacy of injustices experienced by Black, Indigenous and Latino communities. Behind the scenes, four St. Thomas students delved into newspaper archives and police and court records to outline the stories that come… -
VIDEO: Juneteenth as a Second Independence Day
Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Yohuru Williams, Distinguished University Chair, professor of history and the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative, recently spoke about the misconceptions people have about the Juneteenth holiday, its history and meaning for the future. "Black people have always been at the vanguard, the forefront of deepening questions of American democracy, whether that is… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the Importance of Committing to DEI Efforts
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with the Star Tribune about concerns that companies are losing momentum in their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. From the story: George Floyd’s murder by police in 2020 created an urgency in many… -
A Moment of Transformation: Three Years After the Murder of George Floyd
Racial Justice InitiativeThree years after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Dr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, spoke to community members who gathered in George Floyd Square at an event sponsored by the Minnesota Justice Research Center. Although the anniversary of Floyd’s death… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams Leads ‘Teach-in’ in Florida
In the NewsYohuru Williams, history professor and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, recently spoke with Inside Higher Ed about why he led 24 hours of teaching and education on the anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education from St. Petersburg, Florida. From the story: Williams, who also leads St.…