Eric Ward

Eric Ward is a nationally recognized expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements, hate violence, and preserving inclusive democracy. He brings over three decades of leadership in community organizing and philanthropy to Race Forward, having worked with leaders from government, law enforcement, business, and civil rights groups to advance civil rights work. He is the first U.S. recipient of the Civil Courage Prize, an acknowledgment that, as Ward says, "America's dream of achieving a multiracial and inclusive democracy is in danger." 

Ward is Executive Vice President of Race Forward, former Executive Director of the influential Western States Center and the current Chair of The Proteus Fund. He is one of a small group of leaders of color who have been working to counter organized hate since the 1980s. During his career, Ward traveled by bus across thousands of miles of predominantly white, rural areas to support and establish hundreds of anti-hate task forces. Among Ward’s concerns are the backlash against Black America, anti-LGBTQ violence, the growing influence of xenophobia on public policy, and antisemitism across the political spectrum and the impact these issues have on the gains of the 1960s Civil Rights movement.  

A performer, Ward has a special interest in the use of music and culture to advance inclusive democracy. He works with musicians and artists to create new narratives that lift-up anti-bigotry and inclusion and puncture the myths driving American political and social divisions.  

Eric is the author of multiple written works credited with key narrative shifts, including “Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism.” He has been quoted in The New Yorker, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, Black News Channel, NPR, BBC, Rolling Stone & many other media outlets.