Keon E. Williams is a native of Miami, Florida, born in the heart of one of Florida’s oldest Black communities named Overtown. Mr. Williams is a 2008 graduate of Bethune- Cookman University. Mr. Williams currently serves as the Assistant Director for Urban Philanthropies, a non-profit dedicated to transforming distressed urban communities in South Florida through economic and community development activities.
Mr. Williams latest initiatives including navigating Urban Philanthropies through the successful startup of a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), to provide financial and technical assistance to small and emerging nonprofits in South Florida’s urban communities; The Overtown Business Boot Camp, providing residents with startup capital and education to assist with the creating a new business; and Urban Philanthropies A+/ Cyber Security Certification program, aimed at reducing poverty by equipping At-Risk Teens and Residents with a criminal history with a nationally recognized technical certification to gain employment in the IT field in less than 4 months.
Mr. Williams has over 10 years of relevant experience in nonprofit management, issues-based advocacy, grassroots organizing & campaign management and civic engagement. From organizing in Central Florida to elect the First Black President of the United States of America, to leading a statewide effort Ohio to advocate and increase awareness on gun control and gun violence. When Mr. Williams is not working, he serves as the President of the Overtown Optimist Club Inc., a non-profit located in Overtown, tasked with overseeing the participation of 600+ youth and 50+ volunteer members in transforming the next generation through educational and sport activities. Mr. Williams has been a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., since 2007. Mr. Williams credits the motto “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” as the bedrock of his dedication and commitment to advocating for disenfranchised communities.