#  Putting ideas into action 

 



 ![Thad Williamson, Richmond, Virginia](/sites/g/files/omnuum5566/files/inequality/files/thadspotlight.jpg)

 

*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](http://www.richmondgov.com/CommunityWealthBuilding/index.aspx)**, which will implement the city’s overall poverty reduction effort.

Williamson is on leave during 2014-2015 from his **[faculty position](http://jepson.richmond.edu/faculty/bios/twillia9/)** 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](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/11/07/can-concentrated-wealth-relieve-concentrated-poverty/)** (Nov 7, 2014).



 

##  Featured press 

 



  [### Is the Former Capital of the Confederacy Ready to Confront Its Poverty—and Its Past?

 ](http://www.thenation.com/article/202825/former-capital-confederacy-finally-ready-confront-its-poverty-and-its-past#) March 30, 2015 

 The Nation|Thad Williamson (PhD '04) 

 

 

   ![job_program_virginia_otu_img.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum5566/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/inequality/files/job_program_virginia_otu_img.jpg?itok=yO3oiXX4) 

 



 

 

   [### Can concentrated wealth relieve concentrated poverty?

 ](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/11/07/can-concentrated-wealth-relieve-concentrated-poverty/) November 07, 2014 

 The Washington Post | Thad Williamson (Ph.D. '04). 

 

 

   ![Thad Williamson](/sites/g/files/omnuum5566/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/inequality/files/williamson14.jpg?itok=XxL40z4A) 

 



 

 

   [### The former capital of the Confederacy’s all-out plan to fight poverty — and confront its past

 ](http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/storyline/wp/2014/09/02/former-capital-of-the-confederacys-all-out-plan-to-fight-poverty-and-confront-its-past/) September 02, 2014 

 The Washington Post | Thad Williamson (Ph.D. '04) 

 

 

   ![imrs.php_.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum5566/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/inequality/files/imrs.php__0.jpg?itok=g5vmK6J1) 

 



 

 

   [### Thad Williamson: The man driving the city's anti-poverty initiatives

 ](http://rvanews.com/news/thad-williamson-the-man-driving-the-citys-anti-poverty-initiatives/113275) June 03, 2014 

 RVA News | Thad Williamson (Ph.D. '04) 

 

 

   ![williamson14b.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum5566/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/inequality/files/williamson14b.jpg?itok=quD_yYfe) 

 



 

 

   [### Mayor names University of Richmond professor to anti-poverty post

 ](http://www.richmond.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/article_cb19acdc-e9e1-520e-b7cf-aef662e14090.html?mode=story) April 15, 2014 

 Richmond Times-Dispatch | Thad Williamson (Ph.D. '04) 

 

 

   ![williamson14b.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum5566/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/inequality/files/williamson14b.jpg?itok=quD_yYfe)