Neftalie Williams

Assistant Professor
Office: NH-209
Email: [email protected]
Website

Neftalie Williams investigates global issues of race, diversity, and youth empowerment by utilizing critical theory to address power, identity politics, and social change through the lens of action sports. Centering the sporting lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, his investigations offer historical examples of adversity and allyship to help develop a more inclusive future. Dr. Williams has published scholarly works on the topics, op-eds for mainstream publications, and provided commentary for multiple traditional news outlets. He has a forthcoming title with U.C. Press and Hatchett Books. His previous positions include Lecturer and Provost's Postdoctoral Scholar at the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism and Yale Schwarzman Center Visiting Fellow in Race, Culture & Community.

Dr. Williams also introduced the concept of skateboarding as a tool for cultural diplomacy in both theory and practice. Utilizing skate diplomacy, he has led the U.S. Department of State's embassies' new action sports engagements with global youth and their host country's academic, sports, and cultural institutions. Those countries include Cambodia, The Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Barbados, and Granada, and supplement his scholarly research in Brazil, South Africa, Sweden, and Cuba.

Selected Publications: "Color in the Lines: The Politics and Possibilities of U.S. Skateboarding Culture" (University of California Press, spring 2024); "Skateboarding: Past, Present, Future-Perfect" (Hatchett Books, fall 2023). Co-author, "Beyond the Board: Findings from the Field" (University of Southern California, 2020).

Selected Courses Taught: Skateboarding and Action Sport in Business, Media, and Culture (USC).

Other: Inaugural Ambassador of Skateboarding, U.S. State Department; Founder, "The Nation Skate;" Co-founder, College Skateboarding Educational Foundation; Board Member: The Skatepark Project, Skateistan; Chair, USA Skateboarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee