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Racial Justice Initiative

In keeping with our Catholic mission to uphold the dignity of every human person and to advance the common good, St. Thomas launched the Racial Justice Initiative in June 2020 to help drive meaningful reform and change.

The initiative is led by Founding Director Dr. Yohuru Williams, distinguished university chair and professor of history, and focuses on supporting racial justice education, facilitating research, exploring community partnerships, and encouraging dialogue and critical conversations.

Creating the Racial Justice Initiative

The civil unrest in Spring 2020 in the United States has laid bare the stark reality of systemic racism. Across the country, people are signaling a new urgency to confronting the racial inequality that exists in our communities.

The Racial Justice Initiative will work collaboratively with individuals and organizations already engaged in the essential work of helping to reimagine a future for the Twin Cities free from racial disparities. The work of the initiative will be shared widely and aspires to be a model for how other communities begin these efforts.

Recent News

  • Dr. Williams is featured in the Star Tribune podcast, "Ghost of a Chance." This captivating series takes listeners on an intimate journey into Minnesota’s past through the experiences of Harry and Clementine Robinson.
  • Dr. Williams' co-authored book,"King: A Life," is now available and ranked #1 on Amazon for teens and young adults.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
screenshot from the video showing yohuru williams speaking

About the Racial Justice Initiative

Hear Dr. Williams share his vision for the St. Thomas Racial Justice Initiative and the process of historical recovery.

Dr. Yohuru Williams speaking on a panel at Guthrie Theater

Racial Justice MasterClass

For corporations that want to continue the historical recovery journey, the Racial Justice MasterClass is a unique program to help organizations advance their work in diversity, equity and inclusion and move toward racial justice. The MasterClass will include three educational and inspiring events that will propel you to think differently and make a greater impact in our community.

Register for MasterClass

Mission Statement

Designed to inspire change through the lens of historical recovery, the Racial Justice Initiative works collaboratively with individuals and organizations to create knowledge of the racial history of the United States. The initiative champions partnership as fundamental to sustaining the pursuit of lasting change. It seeks to empower young voices and be a leader of Black history in the Twin Cities and beyond.

10-Year Vision

Our 10-year vision is centered on four interrelated goals:

  1. To create new pathways for student engagement (through scholarships, internships, and sponsored programming) on issues of racial justice and equity.
  2. To develop, promote and support scholarships related to racial injustice that impacts and supports the work of community organizations involved in the same work.
  3. To establish St. Thomas as one of the premiere spaces for conversations around racial justice both locally and nationally.
  4. To inspire systemic change consistent with the mission of the university and its catholic identity through scholarship and corporate and community engagement that focuses on eradicating racial injustice.

Historical Recovery as a Pathway to Justice

For racial justice to truly take hold, we must first understand the historical roots of the injustices that have contributed to the present moment. Historical recovery works to illuminate the underpinnings of racism and offer insight into new interventions aimed at dismantling harmful systems. The Racial Justice Initiative is centered on the process of historical recovery as a foundational step to making change and eradicating barriers.

Dr. Yohuru Williams walking down stairs
Students posing at St. Thomas

Funding Priorities

A variety of funding opportunities are available for individuals and organizations who want to advance the mission of the Racial Justice Initiative. Funding can help support an endowed chair for racial justice at St. Thomas, student research and community engagement opportunities, faculty research, as well as the "Overpoliced and Under-Protected" research and documentary project. 

Dr. Yohuru Williams headshot

"With the moment in front of us now, there is a tremendous opportunity to see the Twin Cities as a laboratory for change. Here in Minnesota, if we can think creatively, engage broadly, and partner with humility concerning the work we must all do together, we can make a big impact.”

Dr. Yohuru Williams

The Work of the Racial Justice Initiative

Through the lens of historical recovery, Dr. Williams provides consulting, workshops, executive leadership education and coaching, and long-term partnerships to corporations locally and around the country.

We are proud to partner with community organizations to make meaningful change. Our work includes educational presentations, keynote appearances, and offerings to local community groups related to the mission of RJI. We remain committed to establishing and maintaining relationships with those doing work in the community.

"Overpoliced and Underprotected" research project and "Policing MSP" documentary

This expansive research and documentary project creates student experiential opportunities, supports scholarship of local and national history, generates new findings to educate the community, and generates collaboration with external partners to make an impact.

Through history lessons, engaging conversations, panel discussions, and partnerships with the arts, our MasterClass series aims to educate corporate and non-profit groups as well as individuals on the history of systemic racism in the United States and discuss ways to take action to help dismantle systemic racism.

Dr. Williams regularly appears and presents across all media platforms as an expert on history and racial justice.

Testimonials

"Thank you, Dr. Yohuru Williams, for your amazing gift of teaching historical and contemporary black history to our Delta Dental of MN team members! Your presentations are bar none and we are excited for the continued partnership and learning journey!"

– Kathie Eiland-Madison, Chief Engagement and Inclusion Officer, Delta Dental

"Watch any high-end historical documentary and you’ll see Dr. Williams of the University of St. Thomas as he is THE go-to voice on American history. I was blessed to first connect with Dr. Williams in 2019 and remain in awe of him and his work.

"Yohuru is a phenomenal speaker with the ability to simultaneously educate and uplift. Yohuru leads with love and compassion. Yohuru, THANK YOU, for your strength, patience, and for leading the way in our community. I deeply admire your critical thinking process and am thankful for your friendship."

– Cory Hepola, Vice President of Communications, Growth, and Strategy at The Brookshire Co., TV anchor, host, and documentarian

Contact Us

Please contact us to learn more about how to get involved with the Racial Justice Initiative including sponsorships and customized engagements:

Sara Cotter
Director of External Relations

MA in Diversity Leadership

St. Thomas now offers a Master of Arts in Diversity Leadership. This interdisciplinary program grounds leadership training in culture and inclusion in a way that no other program does. For leaders seeking to effectively implement DEI strategies in their organizations and communities, the MA in Diversity Leadership provides a flexible two-year degree that will build on your enthusiasm and vision for diversity and racial justice.

MA in Diversity Leadership

News from the Racial Justice Initiative

March 5, 2025

In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Explains Origins of Black History Month 

The 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… The post In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Explains Origins of Black History Month  appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • February 26, 2025

    Dr. Yohuru Williams Has Powerful Conversation on PBS with Henry Louis Gates Jr.

    Dr. 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… The post Dr. Yohuru Williams Has Powerful Conversation on PBS with Henry Louis Gates Jr. appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • January 29, 2025

    Dr. Yohuru Williams Reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy for a New Generation

    The 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… The post Dr. Yohuru Williams Reflects on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy for a New Generation appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • January 29, 2025

    In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Commentary on President’s Executive Orders About DEI

    Dr. 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… The post In the News: Dr. Yohuru Williams Commentary on President’s Executive Orders About DEI appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

  • January 16, 2025

    An Excerpt From New Book on Dr. King Co-Authored by Dr. Yohuru Williams

    A 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… The post An Excerpt From New Book on Dr. King Co-Authored by Dr. Yohuru Williams appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

See More News from the Racial Justice Initiative

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