Archive Posts
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In the News: Yohuru Williams Publishes Two Op-Eds on Renee Nicole Good Aftermath
Racial Justice InitiativeYohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative and professor of history at the University of St. Thomas, published a commentary that ran on MLK Day in The Minnesota Star Tribune comparing the life and legacy of Dr. King and the “Be Good” slogan that emerged in the aftermath of an ICE agent fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good. Williams also coauthored…
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In the News: St. Thomas Students Reflect on Civil Rights History
In the NewsHistory students from the University of St. Thomas on the We March for Justice Civil Rights Movement Study Tour were featured by WJTV and WLBT. They participated in the annual Tour of Canton in Canton, Mississippi, a civil rights history program led by activist and Canton native Flonzie Brown Wright. During a visit to the… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams Op-Ed on Equity and Accountability
In the NewsYohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative and professor of history at the University of St. Thomas, authored an op-ed published in the Minnesota Star Tribune examining how the Minnesota Council of Churches has grappled with racial equity and accountability over time. In the piece, Williams reflects on historical patterns of institutional retreat when efforts… -
Leadership and Grit: A Tale of Two Defensive Backs
AthleticsWhen Branden Smith thinks back to the lessons he learned playing football at the University of St. Thomas, the fifth-year cornerback recalls a series of injuries that caused him to miss playing time. “Injuries hurt — not just physically but mentally,” he said. “But they teach you to be better than you were before. You… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams Pens Two Op-Eds on Black Women in the Workforce
In the NewsYohuru Williams, distinguished university chair and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, coauthored a USA Today opinion piece on why Black women are facing disproportionate job cuts. And another one for the Minnesota Star Tribune. In both, Williams highlights the long history of undervaluation that shapes the experiences of… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams on the History of Police Reform in Minneapolis
In the NewsFounding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, Dr. Yohuru Williams, sat down with MPR News host Nina Moini to discuss the long and complex history of police reform in Minneapolis, a topic often framed around the events of 2020, but with roots stretching back more than a century. From the… -
Art as History: ‘This Is Water’ Brings Racial Justice Conversations to Life
Racial Justice InitiativeHistory is not confined to textbooks. It lives in stories and the ways people remember, reckon, and reimagine their shared past. That’s a message that is important to Dr. Yohuru Williams, founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) at the University of St. Thomas. As a historian and educator, he often turns to various… -
In the News: Yohuru Williams Op-Ed on Pretext Stops in the Minnesota Star Tribune
Racial Justice InitiativeDr. Yohuru Williams, Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative, wrote an op-ed for the Minnesota Star Tribune on how Hennepin County’s new policy on pretext traffic stops can reduce racial profiling and signal a safer course for all drivers. From the story: Reports from both the… -
Ecuador Experience Teaches Tommies to See World Through Different Lens
Center for the Common GoodEntering the VISION experience in Ecuador, many University of St. Thomas students thought they had a clear understanding of what they were about to encounter. They knew they would visit schools, meet children and families, and participate in volunteer work arranged by The Center: A Family of Families. However, the reality was far more profound.… -
Dr. Obasesam Okoi Appointed to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Peace Education
Professional NotesDr. Obasesam Okoi, an assistant professor in the department of Justice and Society Studies, has been appointed to the editorial board of the esteemed Journal of Peace Education. His distinguished scholarship in peace and conflict studies, with a strong regional focus on Africa, will further the journal’s commitment to advancing critical discussions on peace education,…