A TRIBUTE TO A BROOKLYN GIANT Horace D. Williams
PHOTO AND TEXT BY LEM PETERKIN
17, 2016, at Giando’s On the Water, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, family, friends, and colleagues — educators, elected officials, community and business leaders— came from across the country to honor his life with The Horace D. Williams Scholarship Fund at City University’s Medgar Evers College. orace D. Williams was not In his remarks, Medgar Evers only a giant in stature, but College President Dr. Rudolph Crew he had a big heart for the pointed out the unique needs of Brooklyn community and especially Medgar Evers students and welits young people. Horace D. Wilcomed the support scholarships liams passed away on September 25, 2015 in Bennettsville, SC. On March provide. Elected officials who had worked with Williams on many of the community projects he envisioned spoke of his unwavering commitment to educational services for the young people of Central Brooklyn. Congresswoman Yvette Clark, joined by Public Advocate L-R: New York City Public Advocate Letitia James; Philppa Kateron Letitia James, (committee); Bessie Edwards (committee); Dr. Thomas Schutte, Pratt former NYS AsInstitute; Tyler Babb, Bedford Academy High School student; Dr. Rudy Crew, president, Medgar Evers College; Dr. Linda Patterson (commitsemblyman Rogtee); US Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; Emerson Atkins; Ekoyo Atkins; er Green and Bernell Grier (committee); and Honorable Una Clarke, honorary host.
Williams, well known in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn founded the Youth and Adult Services Coalition, a non-profit community based organization housed on the campus of Pratt Institute.
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L-R: Dana Williams (daughter), Sharon Williams Waverly (sister), and Horace Douglass Williams (son) www.thepositivecommunity.com
CUNY Board Member Una Clarke expressed their ongoing support of the scholarship fund agreeing that it was a perfect way to honor the life and legacy of Horace D. Williams. Williams, well known in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn founded the Youth and Adult Services Coalition, a non-profit community based organization housed on the campus of Pratt Institute. For more than 25 years, under the skillful leadership of Chairman Williams, funding and development of 17 outreach and summer jobs programs benefitted thousands of Brooklyn youth and young adults. A graduate of Pratt Institute and then an administrator for 25 years, Williams was a link between the community and Pratt Institute. He served as Pratt Institute’s first African American vice president and held various titles over the years including vice president of Government and Community Development; vice president of Institutional Advancement, and vice president of Special Projects.
Honorable Yvette Clarke honorary host (2nd Left), with committee members: L-R: Dr. Linda Patterson, Philippa Kateron, and William Howard May 2016 The Positive Community
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