Like many inner-city youth in America struggling to reshape their educational and social self-image, Williams, a product of Youngstown, was desperate for change. In 1988, his life aspiration of removing himself from the ghetto was met with great resistance and sarcasm. Williams graduated from high school ranked 11th of 365 seniors with a 2.9 cumulative grade point average while earning a composite score of 11/36 on the American College Testing (ACT) exam, which is the equivalent of 580/2400 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Many considered this reality an end and Williams’ intentions laughable.

Realizing that his window of opportunity to escape poverty was closing, Williams desperately sought after Ohio Northern University, a small private premiere institution located in Ada, Ohio. It was there that Williams, a first generation college student, learned how to utilize his life of mayhem to discover his passion for education, marginalized individuals and groups, and personal growth and development.

Today, Williams, is one of the most sought after motivational speakers in higher education. Williams is well respected as the New Century Leader. His climb out of the backseat of social and cultural capital pandemonium, places him at the heart of most issues surrounding Black youth, men, and families. Williams understands institutional and structural oppression as playmakers for privilege and social dominance. Williams draws from these experiences the knowledge and expertise to develop methods and strategies for self-mastery and leadership.

T. Leon Williams is well-traveled on the national circuit. He has visited 25 different states, reaching more than 15,000 faculty, staff, and students for more than 10 years. He has been the featured speaker at some of the most prominent multicultural conferences in the country, NASPA, NCORE, National Multicultural Conference, SEPC, among others. In addition to his speaking gifts, Williams has written numerous plays and short stories designed to strengthen diverse perspectives. He is most proud of his 2007 musical, “Follow The Yellow Brick Road.” Other plays include It’s My Room, Cotton For Two, Nana, Pennies From Heaven, and The Talented Tenth.

Williams has received numerous awards and certificates, such as Staff of the Year, Most Outstanding Speaker, and the John and Connie Klockentager Education for Service Award, for his outstanding leadership and contributions to student life, particularly multicultural affairs. In addition, Williams has played a major role in his community through volunteerism at head-start programs, local churches, and serving on the local board of United Way.

T. Leon Williams earned a Bachelor degree from Ohio Northern University (92’) in Business Administration and a Masters of Science of Education from The University of Dayton (95’). Currently, Williams is a doctoral student at Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Williams is pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Social Psychology and emphasis in Cultural Trauma.

T. Leon Williams currently serves as the Director of the Multicultural Center at Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. In this role, Williams is the champion diversity strategist for assessing and implementing diversity. T. Leon Williams is also the CEO of T. L. Williams & Associates, a diversity education consulting firm.

 

 

 

 

Topics:
Black History Month, Sports, Diversity, Youth/Children, Empowerment

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