Across the U.S. and the world, people have hit the streets to demonstrate for an end to systemic racism and police brutality. Dr. Michael Jeffries, a professor of American Studies at Wellesley College, discusses why this time things seem different than in the past and what we need to understand as professionals to chart a path forward for our organizations.

ABOUT DR. MICHAEL P. JEFFRIES: Dr. Michael P. Jeffries is an author and sociologist who works at the intersection of race, culture, and politics. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and is a tenured professor of American Studies at Wellesley College.

Dr. Jeffries is the author of three books. Behind the Laughs: Community and Inequality in Comedy explores the world of professional comedy, where social and professional demands force artists to build strong communities in an industry divided along lines of race, class, and gender. Paint the White House Black: Barack Obama and the Meaning of Race in America  uses Obama’s presidency to demonstrate how race relies on other social forces, like gender and class, for its meaning and impact. Thug Life: Race, Gender, and the Meaning of Hip-Hop which puts the spotlight on hip-hop fans and describes how everyday listeners define hip-hop and use it in their lives