Kidada E. Williams

Kidada E. Williams is a Professor of History at Wayne State University, where she teaches African American history, U.S. history, and historical research methods. Her research focuses on African Americans' experiences of racist violence, particularly during and after Reconstruction. She is affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has held roles such as the Career Development Chair and Board of Governors Faculty Recognition Award recipient. Williams earned a Ph.D. in History from the University of Michigan (2005), an M.A. (1998), and a B.S. (1996) from Central Michigan University.

Her research emphasizes survivors' testimonies and the intersection of history and public memory. Notable works include I Saw Death Coming (2023) and They Left Great Marks on Me (2012), which explore the impacts of racial violence. She co-developed the #CharlestonSyllabus and hosted the Seizing Freedom podcast, bridging academic and public history.

Williams has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2024 Organization of American Historians' Civil War and Reconstruction Book Prize and the 2023 National Book Award nomination. Her work addresses systemic racism and its ongoing legacies, engaging with media, documentaries, and educational initiatives to broaden public understanding of U.S. history.

She actively supervises graduate students interested in African American history, Black Studies, and Critical Trauma Studies. Her courses include African American History I & II and The Historian's Craft. Williams advocates for inclusive teaching methods and collaborates with institutions like the Zinn Education Project to support K-12 educators.