Event description

About The William C. Powers, Jr. Speaker Series

The Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at The University of Texas at Austin presents a keynote lecture and conversation series honoring the legacy of former UT President William C. Powers, Jr. This series invites thought leaders to share research on American politics and public policy, reflecting his dedication to civic engagement.

Featured Speaker:

Laurence Ralph, William D. Zabel ’58 Professor of Human Rights; Professor of Anthropology and Public Affairs; Co-Director of Center on Transnational Policing — Professor Laurence Ralph

Sito: An American Teenager and the City That Failed Him

Renowned professor, writer, and filmmaker Laurence Ralph joins the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy to deliver a compelling keynote on the themes of his latest book, Sito: An American Teenager and the City That Failed Him. Through gripping storytelling and incisive analysis, Ralph examines how structural challenges and institutional neglect shape the lives of underserved communities. Drawing from years of research and advocacy, he unpacks the conditions contributing to cycles of harm and loss.

With a career spanning acclaimed works like Renegade Dreams and The Torture Letters, Ralph has been at the forefront of conversations on governance, policy, and institutional accountability. His scholarship—featured in The New York Times, The Paris Review, and The Nation—offers critical insights into the long-term effects of policy decisions on communities.

This discussion, moderated by Dr. Peniel Joseph, invites attendees to critically examine the role of institutions in shaping communities and explore pathways for meaningful reform.