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The Black Liberation Movement

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Mirror of America

This program aired on Thu., Feb 18, 2021
Watch on Facebook and YouTube.

The murder of George Floyd catapulted Minneapolis to the epicenter of the Black Liberation Movement. What do we mean when we say “Black Liberation” and the “Black Liberation Movement”? What are the catalysts for these movements historically and how have they been met in Minnesota and in the US?

Join distinguished University of St. Thomas professor Dr. Yohuru Williams and a panel of Black history-keepers as they chart the evolution of Black protest in Minnesota and on a national scale, from slavery through today.

Moderator

Dr. Yohuru Williams, moderator, professor, University of St. Thomas

Dr. Yohuru Williams is the Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Williams has appeared on a number of local and national radio and tv programs on ABC, CNN, CSPAN, and NPR and is the author of, most recently, Rethinking the Black Freedom Movement. He also hosts the History Channel’s Web show Sound Smart.

Panelists

Dr. Terry Anne Scott, director of African American Studies, Hood College

Dr. Terry Anne Scott is an author and associate professor of American history and Director of African American Studies at Hood College in Maryland. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her research, teaching, and community outreach and is heavily involved in community service and social activism.

Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, professor of Public Affairs, University of Texas, Austin

Dr. Peniel E. Joseph is the Barbara Jordan Chair in Ethics and Political Values at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and professor of history and the founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas at Austin. Time magazine named his book “The Sword and The Shield and Stokely: A Life” a Must-Read Book of 2020.

Dr. Keith Mayes, associate professor of African American and African Studies, University of Minnesota

Dr. Keith Mayes is an associate professor in the Department of African American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota. Mayes is an expert on African American history, primarily from the 1960s to present. He has special expertise on social and political movements and current issues of race and perception.


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Sports and Justice

This program aired on Tue, Apr 27, 2021
Watch on Facebook and YouTube.

Black activism in sports has a long and powerful history from Muhammed Ali losing his heavyweight title after refusing to comply with the Vietnam War draft on ethical grounds, to athletes taking a knee and using their collective power to effect change.

How has America been shaped by Black sports activists? How has sports activism changed over time—in Minnesota and nationally?

Dr. Yohuru Williams, Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas, explores these questions with panelist Tony Sanneh, retired professional soccer player and founder of the Tony Sanneh Foundation, and historian Dr. Terry Scott, whose expertise includes the intersection of sports and race.

Moderator

Dr. Yohuru Williams, professor, University of St. Thomas

Dr. Yohuru Williams is the Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and the founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Williams has appeared on a number of local and national radio and tv programs on ABC, CNN, CSPAN, and NPR and is the author of, most recently, Rethinking the Black Freedom Movement. He also hosts the History Channel’s Web show Sound Smart.

Panelists

Dr. Terry Anne Scott, director of African American Studies, Hood College

Dr. Terry Anne Scott is an author and associate professor of American history and Director of African American Studies at Hood College in Maryland. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her research, teaching, and community outreach and is heavily involved in community service and social activism.

Tony Sanneh, president and CEO of The Sanneh Foundation

Tony Sanneh is the president and CEO of The Sanneh Foundation which serves the holistic youth development needs of the increasingly diverse Twin Cities metro area. Tony created the foundation in 2003 at the height of his career as a Major League Soccer player to leverage what he saw as soccer’s unique potential to create positive social change for young people.