Yohuru Williams speaking

Racial Justice MasterClass

The Racial Justice MasterClass is a unique program for corporations and other organizations interested in advancing their work in diversity, equity and inclusion and moving toward racial justice.

The MasterClass is designed to be a continuation in the historical recovery journey and opportunity to join with others in the community to network and advance racial equity. The masterclass will include three educational and inspiring events that will propel you to think differently and make a greater impact in our community.

MasterClass Sessions

The Racial Justice MasterClass is a unique program for individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in advancing their work in diversity, equity and inclusion and moving toward racial justice. The MasterClass is designed to be a continuation in the historical recovery journey and opportunity to join with others in the community to network and advance racial equity. The masterclass will include three educational and inspiring events that will propel you to think differently and make a greater impact in our community.

Take action with your organization and join the 2023 RJI MasterClass. The MasterClass includes three thought-provoking encounters.

MasterClass sessions include a 45-minute educational presentation by Dr. Williams with a Q&A session to follow. Optional supplementary materials will be suggested.

In addition, join us for an in-person "After Class" Social to meet Dr. Williams and others committed to racial justice in our community while enjoying appetizers and refreshments.

Introduction: Race in America After the Pandemic

Online discussion with Dr. Yohuru Williams | January 24, 2023

A recording of this free webinar is available upon request. Please contact Sara Cotter at sara.cotter@stthomas.edu to request the recording.

Session 1: Blues for an Alabama Sky Performance

Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis | February 21, 2023

Includes a pre-performance panel discussion with Dr. Yohuru Williams.

Session 2: Juneteenth: Nothing But Freedom—Legacy of Emancipation

In December 1865, Confederate General Robert V. Richardson confided in a letter to a French banker, “The property personal and real, as a general thing belong, in these States, to the whites. The emancipated slaves own nothing because nothing but freedom has been given to them.” In this Juneteenth lecture, Dr. Williams will explore the afterlife of emancipation and how the freed people, despite receiving “nothing but freedom,” helped shape a new future for themselves and the nation.

  • Live Virtual Learning Lesson | June 14, Noon - 1:15 p.m.
  • On-Demand Learning Session | Available June 16 - June 30 (Can’t join us for the live session? It will be available on-demand.)
  • “After Class” Social with Dr. Williams | June 21, 4:30 - 6 p.m. | Downtown Minneapolis

Session 3: More Than A Dream: Sixty Years After the March on Washington

Sixty years after the march on Washington, Dr. Williams explores the legacy of the march beyond Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech with his new book, More Than a Dream: The Radical March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Dr. Williams will be joined by special guest Kiera Fernandez, chief diversity and inclusion officer and senior vice president at Target. 

  • Live Virtual Learning Session | September 13, Noon - 1:15 p.m.
  • On-Demand Learning Session | Available September 15 – September 29 (Can’t join us for the live session? It will be available on-demand.)
  • “After Class” Social with Dr. Williams | September 19, 4:30 - 6 p.m. | Downtown Minneapolis

Don't miss these transformative experiences

How To Participate

  • Corporate Partners

    $10,000 per session

    Join us as a corporate partner and receive the following benefits:

    • Unlimited participants from your organization may attend the MasterClass education session and AfterClass social
    • Sponsorship of non-profit leaders, educators, and other racial justice community leaders to attend free of charge
    • Logo and verbal recognition in the MasterClass education session and AfterClass social, as well as credit on the Racial Justice Initiative website
    • Opportunity to have presence at AfterClass social, if desired
  • Community Members, Non-Profit Leaders and Educators

    Complimentary registration

    Thanks to the generous support of our corporate partners, we are pleased to offer complimentary registration to community leaders, non-profit leaders, educators, and other individuals to attend virtual MasterClass sessions and AfterClass socials.

     

Contact

Please contact Sara Cotter at sara.cotter@stthomas.edu for additional information on MasterClass including corporate sponsorships, customized engagements, non-profit rates, and complimentary registration for educators.