Bio
Frank Williams, Jr. was born in Canton, Mississippi, October 23, 1952. His parents, Frank and Jewel Williams, were his role models growing up. They both were active helping members of the community engaged in the Civil Rights struggle. His mother was the first Black female to serve on the City’s Board of Alderman.
Monette Divine, Executive Director of the Madison County Union for Progress, gave him his first summer job. This work would help prepare him for a future of service. He was assigned to help provide Voter Education to residents in Canton. He attributes his work in the community as furthering the example set by his parents, grandparents, extended family and community members.
Frank graduated from Rogers High School, went on to attend Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi. Not having money for college, Frank worked fulltime to pay for his college education, first at Presto Pots & Pans and then a local Steel Mill in Flowood, Mississippi.
After graduating college, Frank left Mississippi and relocated to White Plains, New York with his fiancée Ann Stinson.
Frank’s employment career includes Child Care Worker, Abbott House (Irvington, New York); Program Director, Community Centers, Inc., (Greenwich, CT); Director Senior Services and Executive Director, Yerwood Center (Stamford, CT); and Director of Employment and Training, Grand Street Settlement, (New York City).
Frank serves as the Executive Director of the White Plains Youth Bureau. He has a long distinguished career in human services. As the Executive Director of the White Plains Youth Bureau, Frank is responsible for providing services to more than 2,000 White Plains youth each day offering more than 50 programs and services.
Frank’s 30 year career with the White Plains Youth Bureau has created a level of respect, innovation and broad quality of programming that has earned the White Plains Youth Bureau to be named a national model agency by the U. S. Department of Education. Frank’s many community involvements include: Co-Chair White Plains My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, President of Good Counsel Elementary School Board of Directors, President of Passage to Excellence Corporation, Inc., Board Member of the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus, Board Member of Partnership of Caring, Member of New York Medical College Admissions Committee, Member Business Council of Westchester County Foundation Board, Member of the Westchester County Fatherhood Committee, Member of the City of White Plains Prison Reentry Team, Member of the Blacks Scholars Community Partnership, Member of the Westchester County Campaign for Kids, Member of the Westchester County Taskforce of Children and Families Services, Member New York Metropolitan Tougaloo College Alumni Chapter, Former President Westchester Rockland Tougaloo Alumni Chapter, Member of the Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Deacon of Bethel Baptist Church.
Frank’s work with youth has also impacted children in Africa. As former President of the Board for Esther’s Aid, a relief organization supporting children in Rwanda, Africa, Frank’s efforts with the organization provided funds and resources that benefited children impacted as a result of the conflict there. Frank has also been instrumental in directing funds to children in South Africa and Kenya.
Frank has received over 100 awards for his service to the community. He has received New York State’s Highest Award, the Bill Bud Award; Community Leader Award from President Barack Obama for Fatherhood Initiative; Family Ties, Champion of Children; Friends of the White Plains Youth Bureau Empower Award; Joey Award, Westchester Children’s Association; Certificate of Merit National Recognition Community Development Partnership, US Department of Housing and Urban Development; White Plains Greenburgh NAACP W.E.B. Dubois Education Award; Westchester County Office of the County Executive, Distinguished Service Award and Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Man and Omega Citizen of the Year Awards, City of White Plains Public Safety Service Award. He was named the 2016 White Plains Juneteenth Parade Grand Marshal.
Frank has touched the lives of youth, young adults and senior citizens throughout this nation and abroad. He wouldn’t trade anything for his journey.
Frank received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University and Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology, from Tougaloo College.
Frank is a resident of White Plains, New York with his wife Ann. They have two daughters, Timeka, Cherylyn and one grandson John Berryhill IV.