She may be a young activist dealing with some of today’s most pressing issues, but Erica Williams is setting her sights on the future—mid-century, to be exact. By that time, the Census Bureau predicts that racial minorities will make up most of the United States’ population, with no one group holding an overwhelming racial majority. As the Center for American Progress’ new Deputy Director for Progress 2050 (as in the year 2050), Williams is taking steps to ensure that progressive policy reflects this forecasted diversity.
Before her work with Progress 2050, Williams was in charge of another branch of the Center for American Progress. This was Campus Progress, an outreach program for students. During that time, she says, “I worked with young people around the country to help them engage in the political process and raise awareness about issues like college affordability, climate change, and affirmative action.” The same segment of the population that she interacted with through Campus Progress will be her subject (and likely, much of her audience) when she arrives at UC-Santa Cruz to deliver a lecture on “The New Youth Movement: Changing U.S. Politics and Advancing Social Justice.”
This event is part of the Center for Justice, Tolerance and Community’s annual spring speaker series. The CJTC, a progressive research center at UCSC, has for the past decade hosted guest lectures on a variety of topics like environmental justice, green jobs and the racial wealth gap, providing the public with a chance to learn from leading activists. In the words of the center’s director, Heather Bullock, “Much of our research is conducted…with the aim of making a difference in people’s lives by providing information and analysis for action. Our spring speakers embody these ideals.”
ERICA WILLIAMS speaks on Wednesday, May 12 at 7pm at the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room, UCSC. Free. http://cjtc.ucsc.edu; 831.459.5743.
