Yohuru Williams, Ph.D., associate professor of history at Fairfield University, has been invited to serve as a panelist at the 39th Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Issue Forum entitled, "Removing Roadblocks to Teaching and preserving African American History." The forum takes place in Room 209A of the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.

The invitation is the crowning touch to a sabbatical year during which Dr. Williams published two new and well-reviewed books: "Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook: Six Investigative Strategies, Grades 5-12" (Corwin Press, Nov. 2008), and "Liberated Territory: Untold Local Perspectives on the Black Panther Party" (Duke University Press, Feb. 2009). He also had two articles in the prestigious Organization of American Historians Magazine of History in a special issue devoted to the New Black Power Studies and was named one of 10 "2009 Emerging Scholar" by "Diverse: Issues in Higher Education" magazine where he was called, "one of the most exciting scholars of his generation."

Thousands of elected officials, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans are expected at the Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) and its dozens of policy forums, general sessions, massive exhibit showcase, job fair, book signings and vast networking opportunities.

Dr. Williams' session will be a tutorial on the New Jersey Amistad Commission web-based curriculum, designed as the first K-12 Social Studies curriculum in the country that details African American influence, history, and accomplishments within all the public schools.

On sabbatical during the past year, Dr. Williams served as vice president for history education at the American Institute for History Education in Swedesboro, N.J., where he was the primary academic consultant with the New Jersey Amistad Commission. Established by law in 2002, the Commission is charged with ensuring that African Americans' contributions and experiences are historically infused and adequately taught in all of the state's classrooms.

Other members of the distinguished panel include Mr. William D. Payne and Ms Stephanie Jamed Wilson of the New Jersey Amistad Commission; Dr. Colin Palmer, Princeton University; Dr. Lillie Johnson Edwards, Drew University; and Dr. Ruth Love, University of California-Berkeley.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation each year produces the Annual Legislative Conference, a four-day event held in September at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Posted On: 09-16-2009 10:09 AM

Volume: 42 Number: 49