PERSON: Charles Williams II

King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor

Charles E. Williams, II was born in Detroit, Michigan and reared in Birmingham, Alabama; he was built with the Ford toughness of a Midwestern American family, while planted in red dirt values of southern congeniality. With compassion and vigilance Rev. Williams uses those life experiences to guide his hands in leading the fight for workers rights, civil rights, equality, and access for the underserved population of the world.

Generation X is generally charged with having a selfish focus, and considered absentee of social consciousness. At a young age, Rev. Williams chose social and political advocacy through the prism of Christian ministry as a life path. A path not generally taken by a gen xers that flourishes and focuses on a “bling bling philosophy” and a prosperity gospel. Rev. Williams attributes his Christian social consciousness to his Father who is a preacher of the gospel and MSW, and his Mother a BSW. Their mission steeped in Christian values and doctrine urged him and his sister to think critically about the world around them, and the mission of spreading the light in a dark world. With that, his parents sought to engage them in participating in activities like a campaign rally for Jessie Jacksons 1988 Presidential run that promoted political engagement, or celebrating at a Kwanzaa gatherings that focused on positive cultural attributes, and campus visits to Stillman College that displayed the importance of education. Rev. Williams upbringing was not limited to his parents, but extended to a family line of clergy like Pastor Calvin Williams, Pastor C.L Branch, Pastor Elton branch and his Grandmother Alice Williams who is a proud peace corp. alumnus and MSW. These influences bolstered Rev. Williams desire to carry the mantle of a socio-political Christian ministry in the office of the pastorate forward.

Through those experiences, Rev. Williams was eager to reach into the real world, and be a part of a movement for change. From college campus political activity, social justice corporate and issue campaigns, to leading political campaigns for candidates like U.S Senator Debbie Stabenow and Al Sharpton, and serving in the office of the pastorate as a special assistant at New Galilee Baptist Church. Rev. Williams charge had been confirmed by his opportunity to be mentored by Pastor C. L Branch, the Rev. Horace L. Sheffield III, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Jim Holly, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Timothy McDonald, U.S Senator Debbie Stabenow, William Lucy, Dick Gregory and Rev. Joseph Lowery. Although, Running Political Campaigns, Engaging in Partisan Politics, engaging in Social advocacy, and evangelizing around the city of Detroit is a dream realized for Rev. Williams. The destination of accomplishment is a far off.

At the current age of 29, Rev. Williams can look back and smile at his accomplishments, but only long enough to re-energize and prepare to work toward the next level of work that awaits in the future at King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church. To this, Rev. Williams continues to work in the labor movement with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees AFSCME, chairs and incubated the National Council for Community Empowerment (NCCE), President of the National Action Network Detroit Chapter and now stands as the Pastor of the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, the historic pulpit where Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Thurgood Marshall, T.S Boone and a host of Americas leaders used as a stage to spread a progressive message for change.

As Rev. Williams' life unravels, education has become a continuous instrument of growth: from undergraduate studies at Eastern Michigan University and on to graduate studies. Rev. Williams believes the scripture Hosea 6:4 “My people perish because of lack of knowledge” and acts on the words by the Islamic prophet Muhammad “seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.

-- huffingtonpost.com