Cherese N. Williams

Cherese N. Williams,CCDP is a dynamic engaging professional who specializes in public policy and advocacy program implementation. Born and raised in Hanover, Maryland in 1972, she passionately engages underrepresented communities in the electoral process. Through her professional career and civic activities, Ms. Williams aims to close the disparity gaps faced by people of all races across the globe by promoting fair and equitable human rights and economic justice.

NAACP

Over the past six years, Ms. Williams has demonstrated and proven high-quality skills, with quantifiable outcomes that played an integral roll in her success at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP.) Formerly, under the direction of the Chief Policy Officer, Ms. Williams served as the National Civic Engagemnet Program Coordinator. In this capacity, Ms. Williams managed and trained approximately 2,200 NAACP Units across the country, in five Civic Engagement advocacy areas; Voter Education, Voter Registration, Election Protection, Election Administration, and Get-Out-The Vote (GOTV).> [http://www.nblr.us/National Black Leadership Roundtable website] ] Also, initiatives such as the 2006 NAACP National Election Day Voter Action Center, the NAACP Civic Engagement initiatives, and the Hurricane Katrina Civic Relief initiative with a budget of 2.8 million dollars for the recovery of the Gulf Coast regions. [http://www.nblr.us/] In addition, Ms. Williams developed programs to monitor voter irregularities in Michigan and Maryland, and created the Civic Engagement 101 training curriculum and Voter Guide "Value Our Vote" to improve voter turnout and engage citizens in the political process [ http://www.naacp.org/programs/civic/2006_naacp_voter_empowerment_guide.pdf] After the 2006 electin, Ms. Williams conviction to strengthen democracy by empowering communities of color lead her, to be elected as an international observer to monitor the Venezuelan election as part of the NAACP's delegation team. [http://www.rethinkvenezuela.com/downloads/NAACPpr.htm] In Venezuela, Ms. Williams learned first-hand from the Afro-Venezueleans of their struggles for equal rights. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4081/is_200801/ai_n24393453]

Progressive Majortiy

After her tenure with the NAACP, Ms. Williams served as the Director of the Racial Justice Campaign for Progressive Majority's National Office in Washington, DC where she ensures representative parity in recruiting,training and electing candidates of color to run for state and local elections in eight swing states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Pennsylbania, Ohio, Washington, and Wisconsin.Progressive Majority [ [http://www.progressivemajority.org/ racialjustice/Racial Justice Campaign] strategies] [Progressive Majority Winter 2007 Newsletter]

Education

Ms. Williams is a certified Diversity Management Professional. She obtained her certification from Cornell University College in New York. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Theology/Biblical Studies from Logos Christian College in Jacksonville, Florida and has completed 3 years of studies at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland. As a licensed minister, Ms. Williams uses her skills to advocate for people of all races. This 36 year-old leader is committed to being an accountable representative that will support a progressive civil rights agenda.

Quote

She says,

“As societal challenges continue to unfurl, we, as progressive leaders and agents of change have opportunities to reenergize communities that have historically been the political core by obtaining favorable electoral results and embracing and empowering communities of color. While many civil rights leaders have dedicated their lives to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality for all people. As a leader and advocate, I am proud to contribute the fundamentals of diversity initiatives to engage underrepresented communities into the electoral process to create change that will cultivate a lasting majority for everyone.”

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