In November of 2022, High Point began looking for the city’s next Humanitarian of the Year and on Wednesday, Jan.11, city officials announced that they had found their man – not surprisingly a man of God.

Reverend Robert J. Williams Jr. will receive the Human Relations Humanitarian Award for the good work he’s done in the community.

At the next High Point City Council Meeting – on Tuesday, Jan. 17 – the High Point Human Relations Commission will bestow the honor on Williams, who just concluded his 50th year pastoring at Williams Memorial CME Church.

According to the announcement from the Human Relations Commission, his selection was based on the following:

  • Service that benefited traditionally underrepresented individuals and diverse groups – including, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minorities, women and the socially and economically disadvantaged.
  • Promotion of equity through work with a faith-based institution
  • Rising “above and beyond the call of duty” in furthering the cause of equality and fair treatment for all residents.

One look at his resume of good works and it’s easy to see why he was selected.

Williams recently hosted a regional dental clinic that provided free dental services to over 600 people and helped provide free COVID testing to area residents.

His church also helped pay rent and utility bills for people struggling financially.

For over a decade, the church has led efforts to feed members of the community at Thanksgiving – mainly through church membership donations of food and money.

The church feeds 10,000 people and ensures that no one goes without a meal on Thanksgiving. In addition, the church has a regular ministry of feeding the homeless every Thursday with a hot meal delivered to them by the church.

Reverend Williams stays busy to say the least: He’s involved with sixteen organizations in High point, including the Minister’s Conference of High Point and Vicinity, High Point University Board of Visitors, High Point University Chapel Advisory Committee, Communities in Schools Board of Directors, Guilford County Schools Health Advisory Committee, Heart of High Point Committee, Treasure Board of Christian Education Durham Dist., Board of Evangelism General Conference of the CME Church, Macedonia Resource Center, St. Stephens Adult Day Center and Carl Chavis YMCA Advisory Board Carolina Regional Conference Board of Trustees.

In addition, Williams serves as Director of Evangelism Durham District CME Church, Durham District CME Church Finance Committee Chairman and Joint Board Chairman (Chief Finance Committee) of Carolina Regional Conference.

Williams will participate in the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr. High Point Community Parade and be an honored guest at the YMCA’s Black and White Ball on Saturday, Jan. 14.

 

 

 

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