BLACK OWNED BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Young Black & ‘ N Business

By Robin A. Williams

Roosevelt Williams III has a philosophy that is, “We don’t take losses, we take lessons.” These are great words to live by.

Growing up in Valencia Park, San Diego, Roosevelt was influenced in such a positive way from his GREAT Grandfather. He taught him ‘cobbler’. The most important things he learned to have an executive mindset, how to make money work for you, have integrity and ‘how to make your name a great name’. Matthew Cook Sr., Williams great grandfather, was also sure to teach him proper etiquette, and how to behave at the table. A memorable moment for Williams was when his Great-Great-Grandfather taught him how to conduct himself as if he was at Buckingham Place. Williams believes, like so many, that Dr. King made it possible for himself, and others to become great thinkers, and serving leaders. He feels they are leaving a legacy that is service driven. He is very inspired by community and leaders like King globally. Williams says that Dr. King taught him to give service with a smile, and to remember, and pay homage, paying it forward, for the future.

At 35 years of age, Williams is paying it forward just as he intended. This is a man that does remember, and created his business organization, ‘Young Black and N’ Business’. Its mission is devoted to serving and motivating the overlooked and underserved majority, working together as one to be healthy, happy, and successful. Williams has an impressive body of accomplishments. He has been a three-time pageant winner for Mr. Gold Coast Classic 2004, Mr. Black San Diego 2008, and Mr. Heritage in 2010.

Just to name a few other career choices for Roosevelt Williams III:

-President of the Urban Leagues College Career Club from 2005-2007.

-In 2011, he was abducted into the Walls of Excellence on Imperial Ave. and Jimmy James Jones Avenue.

-He has also written policies and ordinances for the City of San Diego to benefit the low to moderate-income communities and underserved populations in San Diego County and drafted The Responsible Banking Ordinance to help eliminate Red Lining by big banks to restore Environmental Justice and Equal Opportunity for all. It was passed unanimously by San Diego City Council in 2008. Lead consultant for the Reinvestment Task Force Board of the Fourth Council District from 2009-2012 - Liaison for the San Diego Youth Commission from 2009 – 2012. During this same time period, Mr. Williams served as a Council Representative and Community Liaison to 18 different communities within Council District Four using his consulting services and leadership skills to positively impact his community. -In 2011, he was inducted into the Walls of Excellence on Imperial Ave and Willie James Jones Avenue. -In 2012, he was afforded the opportunity to spend three months in Washington, D.C. participating in an internship called the Presidential Classroom where he was able to learn about the political process and its effect on the nation.

What sets Williams apart from other business that are focusing on Black owned businesses?

Williams is reminding all of us that Dr. King will continue to be a champion for change! Violence and crime is at epidemic proportions. We need to continue, Williams says, to erase racism daily, because it continues to seep into our communities. As King’s messages evolved, they led to conversations of creating economic stability for black communities. That’s what ‘Young Black N’ Business’ is all about. Williams Company is solution based, identifies problems, and creates revenue.

With an impressive resume, what can we see from you in the future?

“In the future you will see me implementing a 100 year plan. The plan I developed includes generational wealth, legacy build up for others, more home owners, future in financial literacy, providing environmental justice, and assuring that others recognized their greatness, and having others join the movement, leading to being happy and healthy for the future”.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

“My Mother told me to continue to smile, and that power is within the people! She said it was important to share my failures and my shortcomings, that way I become more relatable to people.”

What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

“I am an avid chess player. I’ve play since middle school and I play and compete every day that I can. It helps me decompress and unwind. It is a critical factor in my life and helps my mental well-being and balance.”

Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

First I’ll go by the ‘Mental Bar’ for tea, or get the lemonade and have breakfast. Perhaps take a drive around Encanto, headed towards the “Four corners of Life” where my mural is on Euclid & Imperial. For Lunch ‘Bowlegged BBQ’ on Market street is a favorite. Then I’ll pull up to ‘619 Barber Shop’ and get lined up with a sharp haircut. I love to hit up ‘Heavy Pockets’ for a fresh pair of Nike’s! For the evening I’ll sport one of my favorite suits from ‘Fam Mart-DL Bookers Enterprises’ for dinner at ‘Chefs Restaurant’. Then I will end my night at the ‘Fosters Freeze in Spring Valley!”

What I love about the our neighborhood?

“I love the generations of people that I have connected with over the years, they have watched me grow up and see the progress I make for the community. I especially love the middle school kids that I am inspiring, and they show respect to me when I see them, that is important. It’s the best when I am walking around the neighborhood and folks know me and honk hello! I feel a real connection and fellowship among my friends and neighbors. It feels the way home is supposed to, good!”

Roosevelt Williams III says that Dr. King was coming together, moving on group economics, and moving the culture, the color and the consciousness forward. To learn more about Roosevelt, please check out the links below.

PEACE MAKER AWARD https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/ style-society/story/2022-11-23/peacemaker-award (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/ style-society/story/2022-11-23/peacemaker-award)

10 News

Study: Black households hit harder by inflation (https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/black-households-hit-harder-by-inflation-uc-san-diego-study-finds)

Juneteenth Flag Raising https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2022-06-19/juneteenth (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2022-06-19/ juneteenth)

Fox 5 News

Jackie Robinson Day: Padres recognize scholarship recipients (https://fox5sandiego.com/sports/jackie-robinson-day-padres-recognize-scholarship-recipients/) Padres Union Tribune Story https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/local/story/2022-04-12/san-diego-baseball-robinson (https://www. sandiegouniontribune.com/local/story/2022-04-12/ san-diego-baseball-robinson)

Channel 10 News

SD Black business leader takes young players to Padres game (https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/ black-business-organization-bring-75-local-baseballplayers-to-padres-game-on-jackie-robinson-day)

Jackie Robinson 75th Anniversary KUSI

Young Black & ‘N Business to take high school baseball players to the African American Heritage Game at Petco Park - (https://www.kusi.com/young-black-n-business-to-take-high-school-baseball-players-to-the-africanamerican-heritage-game-at-petco-park/)

The Localist San Diego

FOX 5 San Diego (https://fox5sandiego.com/thelocalistsd/young-black-and-in-business/)