Racial Justice in America: Reflections on the Past, Present and Future

In 2020, people across the United States took to the streets to protest racism and police brutality. In this Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations event, we examine how structural racism has fueled inequity and reflect on our nation’s long legacy of racial injustice. We explore how America's current engagement in fighting racial oppression differs from movements in the past, and look ahead to the future, and the hope for meaningful change. Associated Press investigative reporter Kat Stafford moderates a conversation with Dr. Keisha N. Blain, Associate Professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh and the president of the African American Intellectual History Society and Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, professor of History, Race and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and the Suzanne Young Murray Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies. This event is part of the JCC Greater Boston's Hot Buttons, Cool Conversations acclaimed discussion series bringing together distinguished scholars, thought leaders and expert moderators for thought-provoking dialogue on issues of concern to the Jewish community and beyond. Produced in partnership with GBH Forum Network. Image: Life Matters, Pexels

Khalil Gibran Muhammed

Khalil Gibran Muhammad is a professor of history, race and public policy at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) and the Suzanne Young Murray Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. Muhammad previously served as director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of The New York Public Library (NYPL), one of the leading research facilities dedicated to the study of the African diaspora. He is also a Visiting Professor at the City University of New York. Photo Credit: Kimono Photography

Kat Stafford

Kat Stafford is a national investigative writer, focused on race and inequity at The Associated Press. She investigates how structural racism has fueled inequity in America through the lens of politics, government health, environmental justice and more.

Dr. Keisha N. Blain

Dr. Keisha N. Blain is an award-winning historian of the 20th century United States with broad interests and specialization in African American History, the modern African Diaspora, and Women’s and Gender Studies. She is an Associate Professor of History at the university of Pittsburg and the president of the African American intellectual History Society (AAISH).

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