Dr. Yohuru Williams

Dr. Yohuru R. Williams is a distinguished American historian, author, and activist renowned for his scholarship on the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. He currently serves as the Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History, as well as the Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Williams earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Scranton and completed his Ph.D. in history at Howard University in 1998. His academic career includes roles as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at both Fairfield University and the University of St. Thomas. He also served as the Chief Historian for the Jackie Robinson Foundation and contributed to Ken Burns' PBS documentary "Jackie Robinson".

Williams is a prolific author and editor, with notable works including "Black Politics/White Power: Civil Rights, Black Power, and the Black Panthers in New Haven," "Rethinking the Black Freedom Movement," and "Teaching Beyond the Textbook: Six Investigative Strategies". His recent co-authored book, "More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom," delves into the often-overlooked radical roots of the 1963 March on Washington.

Beyond academia, Williams is a prominent public intellectual, frequently appearing on national media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and the History Channel, where he provides historical insights on various topics. He has also been featured in docuseries like "The Food That Built America" and "The West," offering context on American history and culture.

Committed to social justice, Williams serves on the advisory board of Voters of Tomorrow, advocating for political engagement among Generation Z. His work continues to inspire and educate, bridging the gap between historical scholarship and contemporary activism.