Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw’s ‘Pioneering Contributions’ Honored with the Esteemed W.E.B. Du Bois Medal.


Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw is a prominent scholar and influential voice in critical race theory and intersectionality.

Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, co-founder and executive director of the African American Policy Forum (AAPF), has been honored with the esteemed W.E.B. Du Bois Medal by The Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. This award represents the highest recognition for outstanding contributions to Black studies, culture, and scholarship.

“Her pioneering work has profoundly influenced modern discourse on systemic inequality, inspiring activists and academics across the globe,” an AAPF news release stated.

Professor Crenshaw is a prominent scholar and influential advocate in critical race theory and intersectionality, dedicating her career to examining the intersections of race, gender, racism, and law. Her research and legal theories led to the founding of The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) in 1996. AAPF works to reshape public policy by combating educational censorship, defending democracy, and promoting racial and gender justice through focused research.

“AAPF is a pioneering think tank uniting scholars, activists, and policymakers to drive efforts in dismantling structural inequality,” reads a statement on its website. “We leverage fresh ideas and unique perspectives to reshape public discourse and influence policy.”

In 2014, AAPF introduced the influential #SayHerName campaign to spotlight police violence against Black women and girls.

“Black women and girls, ranging in age from seven to 93, have been killed by police, yet their names are seldom heard. Knowing their names is essential but insufficient to uplift their stories; sharing these stories sheds light on the varied circumstances that make Black women’s bodies particularly vulnerable to police violence,” states an overview of the initiative.

In 2022, the organization launched the Freedom to Learn Coalition, a collaborative effort among major civil rights, human rights, and social justice groups, national teachers’ unions, students, parents, and others, united to combat widespread efforts to curtail antiracist education in U.S. schools and protect democratic values.

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