Jawanza James Williams is a Black, radical Queer, Prison Abolitionist, Socialist, Feminist, Christian engaged in social critique, local, and state politics in New York.

He is a PhD Political Science student at the CUNY Graduate Center

Williams is originally from Beaumont, Texas. I received a BA in English from Schreiner University in 2012 before moving to New York City, where he works with VOCAL-NY as the Director of Organizing.

Media featuring Williams:

Here's a running list:Click here

Highlights:

New York Times

• How the Floyd Protests Turned Into a 24-Hour ‘Occupy City Hall’ in N.Y.
• Have Americans Warmed to Calls to 'Defund the Police'?
• 'Black Leadership Matters': Why a Radical Rift Is Growing Among N.Y. Democrats

The Nation: New York's City Hall Encampment Is a Middle Finger to Our Elected Leaders

VICE: New York's City Hall Occupation Envisions a World Without Police

Slate Magazine: 'Next time we probably won't stop at a public space'

NY1 News: A Black Lives Matter activist reflects on a year of fighting for justice

NBC News: Forty years after first documented AIDS cases, survivors reckon with 'dichotomy of feelings'

amNY: Voting rights supporters cheer Cuomo’s resignation, then call for Congress to protect democracy across America

Awards and Acknowledgments:

• People's World 2022Better World Awards Honoree
• Citizen Action of New York 2019 Everyday Hero Award
• 2020 Village Independent Democrats Honor for Progressive Activism
• 2020 Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP)Community Activist Recognition
• City & State2021 Community Engagement Power 50
• City & State2021 Albany 40 Under 40
• City & State2021 Pride Power
• NPR Diverse Sources Database