Juan Williams, Opening Plenary Session Panelist

Juan Williams

Juan Williams is one of America’s leading political writers and thinkers. He is the senior correspondent for NPR, a political analyst for Fox Television, and a regular panelist for FoxNews Sunday. In addition to prize-winning columns and editorial writing for The Washington Post, he has also authored six books.

With the release of his sixth book, Enough — The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America — and What We Can Do About It, Williams has created a national furor and ignited debate everywhere with his point blank analysis of black leadership in this country. He combines a bold, perceptive, solution-based look at African American life, culture, and politics with an impassioned clarion call to do the right thing now and not lose sight of the true values of the Civil Rights Movement.

His previous book, My Soul Looks Back in Wonder, presents stirring, eyewitness accounts of history-making movements for Black, Hispanic, and Women’s rights, as well as other successes at creating a better America. Previous books include the nonfiction bestseller, Eyes on the Prize, and the critically acclaimed biography, Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary, which The New York Times selected as a notable book of the year. Time magazine described American Revolutionary as a “magisterial” work of American history, and the book was reissued in 2004 with a new epilogue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s historic Board vs. Brown decision.

His other books include I’ll Find a Way or Make One, A History of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and This Far By Faith, a history of the Black religious experience in America — which was accompanied by a six part PBS series.

As one of the nation’s most influential journalists, Williams is in constant contact with American political leaders from the President to members of Congress and the Supreme Court. His understanding of American history and his inside access to Washington politics gives him a unique and informed voice as an analyst of current events.

In 2000, NPR selected Williams to host their afternoon talk show, “Talk of The Nation,” and in two years he brought the show’s ratings to record heights. His daring perspectives on American politics, race, and culture are based on his historical understanding, political expertise, and knowledge of diversity.

Prior to writing bestsellers, Williams was a political columnist and national correspondent for The Washington Post. In a 21-year career at The Post he served as an editorial writer, op-ed columnist, and White House correspondent. He won several journalism awards for his writing and investigative reporting. He also won an Emmy Award for TV documentary writing. He was given widespread, critical acclaim for a series of documentaries including Politics — The New Black Power. His documentary on A. Phillip Randolph was featured on PBS.

Because of Williams’ expertise, the President’s commission chose him as the keynote speaker at the start of the Smithsonian Museum’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Brown decision. Williams was also selected as the first speaker in 2003 for CSPAN’s nationally televised series, Students and Leaders. Williams is renowned as an expert moderator. His evenhanded view of American politics, diversity in the workplace, and changing American demographics have made him an ideal host for debates and seminars. As senior correspondent for NPR’s “Morning Edition” and host of “America’s Black Forum,” a nationally syndicated weekly news program, Williams is at the cutting edge of America’s culture and politics.