Dr. Michael Williams grew up on a farm in Mississippi. He helped his siblings and parents run the farm while being homeschooled during the day and at night. He grew up knowing of Medgar Wiley Evers because his mother would stress the importance of his work. As a Civil Rights Historian, he has done research on Evers' work. In this episode of We Are UT El Paso, Dr. Williams discusses his work and relation to the civil rights movement. He talks with Keith Pannell about some topics covered in the African American Studies Program and how the staff and student enrollment is growing.
Dr. Williams is a Professor of History and Director of the African American Studies Program. His research and teaching interests focus on twentieth-century U.S. social and political resistance movements, Civil Rights struggle, grassroots activism and black intellectuals, and radicalism. His publications include a biography of NAACP Field Secretary Medgar Wiley Evers titled Medgar Evers: Mississippi Martyr (University of Arkansas Press, 2011).
Additional Links:
- To learn more about the African American Studies Program: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/african-american-studies/
- To know more about Dr. Michael Williams visit: https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/history/people/faculty-pages/michael-williams.html
This interview originally aired on December 8, 2023.
