UNION BAPTIST CHURCH

CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARD WILLIE WALKER

Mr. Willie Walker was born and educated in Birmingham, Alabama. Throughout his life, Mr. Walker has made a stance for civil activism, impacting the lives of everyone he meets. He participated in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham and in the March on Washington. In 1996, Mr. Walker took on a different task in community activism as Chairperson for Community Board #10. Later, after wanting to serve the public in a broader capacity, he ran for City Council.

Mr. Walker’s professional career is highlighted by his work as an ordained minister, Director of Data Processing at Columbia University, and working with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). He created the first Networking System for the Anonymous Counseling and Testing Sites for the NYC DOHMH Bureau of Development for HIV Services and worked as the Director of Special Events for Educational Outreach. Since departing from NYC DOHMH, he continues to speak at forums and expos to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

In 2005 Governor George Patai appointed Mr. Walker to serve as Building Superintendent of the Adam Clayton Powerll, Jr. State Office Building. During his first year in this role, the building was acknowledged with the 2006 Facility of the Year Award. In 2007 Mr. Walker received the Facility Manager of the Year Award and The Commissioner’s Merit Award, the Office of General Services’ highest honor. He worked tirelessly to modernize the building and ensured that the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building was a pillar of the community. Under his tenure, the facility regularly hosted popular events such as NYS SummerStage in Harlem, Harlemween, and The Holiday Tree Lighting.

Mr. Walker sits on several boards and advises numerous organizations, including: The Mayor’s Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Harlem Legal Services, The CDC’s National Committee for Black AIDS Day, and The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Walker is committed to education at all levels. In 2003, he fulfilled his dream of promoting youth education by opening Little Walker’s Kiddie Academy, a Harlem-based day care center. Since 2014 he has opened his home to over 25 Tanzanian physicians completing training at Cornell University’s Hospital Management program.