LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lee Williams was nominated by Laurie Carr, a member of the community.

There's a TV show, Black Lightning, that tells the story of Jefferson Pierce, a high school principal who also happens to be a retired superhero. He is well-loved by his students and their families, and he impacts all those he meets. One day, his community of Freeland, GA is tormented by gang activity and victimized by racist police activity, and his students are targeted with a new drug on the streets. Jefferson comes out of retirement as Black Lightning in order to protect and serve.

Black Lightning is also the story of Lee Williams. He may not have electrokinesis or partake in hand-to-hand combat, but he electrifies every room he walks into. He demonstrates incredible strength as he fights for students, and he has a wealth of pedagogical wisdom. In short, a superhero resides in him.

"I first met Lee in 2016, in his first year as principal at Graham Middle School in North Carolina," said Carr. "Lee was appointed to this school during its designation of low-performing status by the state. This was quite a set up for a first year principal. The school's culture was broken. Expectations were low, by all counts. Hope was non-existent until Lee walked through the doors and changed things."

Mr. Williams cares about children. You know this before he opens his mouth. You see it in his physical stance, in the way he stops to listen, in the look he gives if an adult speaks to a student without respect. Just like the gangs of Freeland feel Black Lightning's force of good, you can feel the same emotions and charge of energy from Lee Williams.

"The teachers have gotten better in the last two years since he's been here...They listen [to us]," said a student.

"He's a really great principal. He encourages us...[and remind us] we have what it takes to pass the EOGs and our class tests," said another student. "He keeps everything under control and makes sure nothing gets out of hand. I really think that his ideas for the school are very helpful...We all love him."

"I’ve been at Graham Middle for six years; for starters," said a staff member. "Mr. Williams has brought a new energy to our school. He has brought excitement, motivation, and encouragement.  There’s new life here and lots of positive changes. Parents and teachers can feel he’s here to do something different, and we needed that. It’s appreciated."

Parents know they are listened to, as well. Just as Jefferson Pierce fights his Board to keep students from being expelled, Mr. Williams works with families to make school a safe place to make and learn from mistakes. Parents leave his office with hugs, handshakes, and words of thanks.

As a principal, Mr. Williams started every day visiting every classroom, greeting students with affirmations of their intelligence and beauty. He addressed them and taught them to be young kings and queens. At a time when textbooks continue to be written with a slanted historical perspective, with stories representing the bulk of his student body missing or not told correctly, he created classes to teach these missing pieces. He made sure every student had representation, saw themselves in what was taught, and saw their own potential. He even committed to teaching class himself twice a week.

"Lee Williams makes time for students," said Carr. "He listens at lunch time, in classrooms, before school, and in the hallways. Students come to him with personal issues, and he helps facilitate to get them to their own solutions. He creates space for their voices."

Two years after his appointment to Graham, Mr. Williams was asked to lead equity and inclusion work in a neighboring district. It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but his heart ultimately led him to the place in which he could impact the greatest number of lives - much like Jefferson's/Black Lightning's choices. For the last year, Mr. Williams has served in the role of Executive Director of Equity & Inclusion in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools.

"As an outsider looking in, I can say he is making things happen," said Carr. "He is still in schools multiple times a week listening to students, but he is also guiding teachers and leaders to think about their policies and to consider their relationships with students."

Mr. Williams has created space for educators of color within his district. He has co-developed a podcast, developed book studies, and led affinity group nights out. He is using social media platforms to impact and influence. Mr. Williams is speaking at conferences and networking to build his own and others' capacity - all for the benefit of the children he serves.

Black Lightning isn't content with stopping bad guys. He seeks justice and hope for his students and community. The same is true of Mr. Williams. He is a daily intentional advocate, role model, and true force for each and every one of his students. He makes everyone feel special, and that they are capable of reaching their dreams. Mr. Williams inspires hope, fights for justice, and works in love. He is a LifeChanger.