An interview between Walter Johnson and Tef Poe. After the Michael Brown killing, Walter began focusing on the history of structural racism in St. Louis and culminated in his book, "The Broken Heart of America, St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States". In this video, he interviews Tef Poe, who has consistently advocated grass-roots involvement in improving the lives of African Americans and in racial justice within and outside the United States. In his art and activism, he insists on the value of local people taking charge of conversations about their own communities rather than relying on national organizations. His work during the Ferguson protests was featured in the documentary, ”Whose Streets?” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and had a theatrical release marking the third anniversary of the killing of Mike Brown. Co-founder of the Hands Up United movement, activist, rapper and musician.

Winthrop Professor of History and Professor of African and African American Studies, Author “The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx