Historical Contributions Experience of Elders

Art Williams was the Director of Training for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Southeast Region. At his pinnacle, Art was responsible for designing, developing and delivering training for the professional staff in more than 395 Bys & Girls Clubs. His creative and enthusiastic manner of training highly made him well-known across the Movement.

Art was graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. Prior to graduating from Morgan State, he completed the Community College of Baltimore and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Short Course on Boys & Girls Club Administration at New York University.

Art joined a Boys Club as a members when he was seven years old and never left. He worked as a professional in the Movement for 37 years. Art's professional career began in 1957 when he was hired by the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Baltimore. At the Baltimore organization he served many roles including as Education Director, Physical Director, Resident Camp Director and Program Director. After leaving the Baltimore organization, he came to work for Boys & Girls Clubs of America/ Southeast until his death in 1994. Art won numerous awards including the "Herman Prescott Award in 1982 and the Association of Boys & Girls Club Professionals' (AB&GCP) "Professional of the Year" in 1993.

Art lived a life of involvement and commitment, actively participating in a variety of community and human service activities. He was an outspoken advocate for youth causes through offices of mayors, governors, educational, recreational and social service agencies in the city and state of Baltimore and Maryland. He served on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission, Midway Football Program, Wadsworth PTA as Treasurer, the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, and chaired the trustee board at his church in Atlanta, Georgia.

Art's life and career were cut short. At age 55, Art died of cancer. The favorable impact of the life of Arthur L. Williams, Jr., on the lives of children, adults and families of people and organizations in many areas of our country will be felt and practiced for many years to come.