James R Williams

J. Robert “Bob” Williams was unanimously elected to the position of Chairman of the Board for the National Black United Fund in March 2009. A long time supporter of NBUF and BUFNY, Bob’s relationship with the organization goes back to the early days of NBUF and its founder, Walter Bremond. Nationally recognized for his commitment to social change, Bob has served in a variety of leadership capacities in the community development field. Mr. Williams is a co-founder of Inner Cities Strategies, one of the largest faith organizations in the United States, with membership of over 250 churches in the Northeast. His faith-based organizing efforts began as Community Development Consultant with Harlem Congregation of Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI) where he completed a strategic partnership community development agreement between Catholic Charities and HCCI. Mr. Williams is the former Executive Director of the Association of Minority Enterprises for the State of New York (AMENY). Through Mr. William’s leadership AMENYs’ funding grew, establishing a track record in providing superb business development and consulting services to minority contractors, housing and private developers in the New York Tri-State area. Mr. Williams also served as the Chairman of G-CAT Construction and Development Corporation under a partnership agreement with General Dynamics, which secured a $2.5 billion federal wire and cable service contract for minority contractors. Additionally, Mr. Williams has served as President/CEO of Bronx Strategic Alliance of Settlement House under the auspices of United Way of Greater New York where he was instrumental in ensuring the sound financial operations of diverse housing and community development programs through over 64 federal, state and locally funded contracts. He also served as Director of Promotions for Special Marketing for Mobil Oil Corporation. As Chairman of National Associations of Black Athletes, he organized fundraising events at Madison Square Garden, utilizing top professional basketball players from the NBA (see attached Ebony article). Mr. Williams received his B.A. Degree from the University of Buffalo. He resides in Queens, New York with his family.