Eric K. Ward is a nationally recognized civil rights leader, strategist, and cultural organizer who has spent over 30 years on the frontlines of racial justice, democracy defense, and anti-authoritarian organizing. A punk rocker and current movement elder, Eric's work confronts the rising threats of white nationalism, antisemitism, and political violence-while building bridges across race, faith, and class. He serves as Executive Vice President at Race Forward, Senior Fellow with the Southern Poverty Law Center, and co-producer of the documentary White With Fear. Eric is the only American recipient of the Civil Courage Prize, and a sought-after voice featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, and beyond. Whether convening national coalitions, organizing subcultures, or writing about the soul of democracy, Eric is known for speaking hard truths with clarity, heart, and vision-always rooted in the belief that belonging, not fear, is the foundation of a just society.