Dr. William Watson

Dr. William Watson first learned democracy watching his Mississippi parents risk their lives (and his) in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Defying odds set by childhood poverty and then alcoholism, William earned degrees in Philosophy, Comparative Religion, Anthropology, and Counseling Psychology before completing a social justice Focused education doctorate from San Francisco State University. He completed a Presidential Fellowship for College Excellence with The Aspen Institute and Stanford University while prototyping equity innovations in California higher education. When he left higher education in 2020 after a 20 year career, he founded Waterbrook, LLC, a USA democracy project that works for peace and prosperity through justice then liberty for all. Cognella Press published his book, Twelve Steps for White America: for a United States of America, and its companion workbook with contributor, Christine Sleeter, Ph.D., in 2023. The book recently won The BookFest Gold Medal for Society & Social Sciences: Race, Culture, Class & Religion. An audiobook version will be released, Fall 2024.

Keynote Topics/Titles

• Twelve Steps for White America (Recovery Principles for a Nation)
• It says “White People” on the Cover: Who is White? What is White?
• Rigged Advantage: Older Than The USA
• Repentance, Atonement, Renewal: Sounds So Preachy
• Unshackle the Past; Strengthen U.S. Security and Global Competitiveness; Make Way for All – Our Best Days to Come
• Intro to Contextualized Family History: 2 – hour Practice Workshop
• Compassion and Respect: Let Love Linger