Christopher E. Williams

Family Historian, Social Impact Consultant, and Speaker

Christopher E. Williams is a Black-queer family historian, social impact consultant, and speaker with over 15 years of experience dedicated to challenging and transforming the status quo. His professional journey is marked by a commitment to listening, inclusivity, and collective action, driven by a profound belief that conventional approaches fail to address the diverse needs of individuals and communities.

As a seasoned family historian, Williams has delved into the rich histories of Black-American families across the Gulf Coast and Upland South, tracing their narratives back to the 1800s. These stories have underscored for him the critical importance of authentic self-expression, mutual understanding, and adaptive progress in an ever-evolving world.

Williams’ expertise spans a wide array of disciplines including diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), strategic change management, the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), human-centered design (HCD), and trauma-informed financial wellness, particularly the Trauma of Money (TOM) framework. His work in these areas reflects his dedication to addressing systemic issues and fostering environments where all voices are heard and valued.

As a co-founder of COWRIE (Co-Operative Wealth, Re-Investment, & Empowerment) 501(c)(3), which includes BankBlackUSA, Williams has been instrumental in advancing Black financial connectivity and empowerment. His role as a founding advisory board member of Beyond Trenches, a grassroots carceral abolitionist and mutual-aid organization, further highlights his commitment to creating equitable systems. Additionally, his past advisory board membership with TransTech Social Enterprises, an organization supporting transgender and gender-nonconforming professionals, underscores his dedication to fostering inclusive professional spaces.

Williams’ leadership and advocacy are also evident from his involvement with impactful institutions such as the Aspen Ideas Festival, the Just Economy Institute, and Morehouse College, where he received a B.A. in English Language, Literature, & Theory. These experiences have allowed him to build and sustain meaningful coalitions and drive significant social change.

Williams describes his community as a collective of "dead folks, nerds, & 'sissies'"—a term embracing those who challenge conventional norms and forge new paths. With this community, he remains steadfast in his mission to honor our histories, advance movements, and amplify voices, working collaboratively to create a world marked by safety, healing, and unity.

**Christopher uses any pronouns and does not use honorifics**