Putting ideas into action

Thad Williamson, Richmond, Virginia

Thad Williamson (Ph.D. '04) is leading a comprehensive poverty-reduction effort for Richmond, Virginia, as the first director of the Mayor's Office of Community Wealth Building.

Former Inequality and Social Policy doctoral fellow Thad Williamson (Ph.D. in Political Science, ’04), now a professor at the University of Richmond, worked over the past two years with policymakers and citizens of Richmond, Virginia, to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the city’s 27% poverty rate and expand upward social mobility for city residents. In April 2014, Williamson was named the first director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Wealth Building, which will implement the city’s overall poverty reduction effort.

Williamson is on leave during 2014-2015 from his faculty position as Associate Professor of Leadership Studies and Philosophy Politics, Economics and Law at the University of Richmond while serving the city.

Read more in the press articles below. The Washington Post features an extensive interview with Williamson (Nov 7, 2014).

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