WASHINGTON (April 11, 2011) – Howard University President Sidney A. Ribeau announced the establishment of the Ronald W. Walters Center during the 40th anniversary Congressional Black Caucus Foundation symposium held on campus.

Political activist, prolific author and media commentator Ronald W. Walters, Ph.D., served as a Howard University professor for 25 years, political science department chair, and was a preeminent global scholar and expert on American political behavior, Black politics and comparative politics. He died in September 2010

The Ronald Walters Center will serve as an interdisciplinary focal point for public policy research, publication and leadership development.  “Through this center, his name, his spirit and his work will live on as we prepare others to follow in his footsteps and impact the world as much as he did,” Ribeau said.

Walters served as a campaign manager and consultant for the Rev. Jesse Jackson during his two presidential bids and was a policy adviser for former Congressmen Charles Diggs (D-MI) and William Gray (D-PA). 

Walters was instrumental in the creation of the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Ronald Walters Center will examine the role of African Americans in the development of U.S. foreign policy; the impact of globalization on the African-American community; and the role of African Americans in U.S. presidential and congressional politics. It will also house the Walters papers.

The Center will also establish a visiting scholars program to provide research opportunities for internal and external scholars, including post-doctoral students. The Center will sponsor conferences, symposia, quarterly newsletters and other activities.