Community Spotlight:
Kendra Williams
A Q&A with Community Leader, Kendra Williams
Where were you born? Where did you grow up? How long have you been a Greenville resident?
I was born in Greenwood, SC, grew up in New York, and I moved to Greenville, SC in Feb 2001 to be close to my family.
What inspired you to become a leader in this community, and what personal experiences shaped your journey?
I have been willing to step in to give a helping hand and fill in the gap for a need wherever I went. I never intended to become “a leader in the community.” I do see my calling as a connector in the community.
What core values or beliefs guide your leadership, and how do they influence the decisions you make?
I believe in helping those who fall into the gaps, and I believe there is a need of people to understand the perspectives of Black people in the community.
What is the core mission of your work, and how do you see it making a lasting impact in the community?
The core mission of my work is to have the local community learn the contributions of Black people in the Greenville community.
Teaching is often a highly rewarding endeavor. What is the most meaningful part of your work? How does teaching people about Greenville's history make you feel?
I believe it is Divine Destiny that I am doing this tour sharing history because I have repeatedly and categorically rejected being a teacher for decades; and yet here I am. Now I feel the weight and the importance of the information I share before each tour or presentation and yet it is absolutely invigorating for me to share this information with others knowing I am empowering those who do not know their history and enlightening those who didn’t know we had any here.
What is the most surprising historic fact that you've learned while researching the Black history (or general history) of Greenville?
One of the most inspiring representations of our excellence is the Working Man's Benevolent Temple Professional Building built to provide opportunity and resources for the Black community. This was built with quality, beauty, and elegance in its design and craftsmanship.
Which community institutions have you collaborated with to expand the reach of your work?
I collaborated with the Urban League of the Upstate (ULUS) on their education component resulting in a civil rights tour map in 2024.
Are there any upcoming new opportunities for your work that you're excited about?
I am excited about expanding options for the tours to weekdays and mobile options as well as bus trips to historical sites across SC and outside the state.
How can community members get involved or support the work you’re doing?
Everyone can get involved by taking one of the Saturday morning tours, scheduling a private tour or presentation for your group, by sharing that this tour exists.
If you could meet/have a conversation with any historical figure, who would it be? and why?
Eve. I want to know what it was like to live uninhibited in your own environment before racism and sexism took over the world.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I am an introverted extrovert.
What person has made the biggest impact on your life?
My mother and my grandmother.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would travel to many countries in Africa to see their natural wonders and learn history at the origin of the world’s people.
What's your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Laughing with my daughter.
What is your favorite food or guilty pleasure snack?
Popcorn is my favorite snack.
Favorite childhood memory?
I remember feeling so happy about being 8 years old at my birthday party and then being a volunteer in the elementary school library so I could read the new books first.
Favorite season of the year and why?
My favorite time of the year is Late Spring before official Summer after the pollen is washed away. There is nothing sweeter than feeling the warm Spring breeze as everything is blooming.
What inspires you?
Honesty, sincerity, and purity of heart.
What are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful for both Jesus for his sacrifice for my life and my mother for her unconditional love and the opportunities she made for me to be who I am today.
Favorite Greenville restaurant?
Stax Omega for breakfast.
Favorite Greenville greenspace/park to visit?
Liberty Bridge in Falls Park.
In your opinion, what makes Greenville a unique/special city?
The ability to play, eat, sleep, and walk down a beautiful Main Street to each of these.
What are the most significant changes you've witnessed in the community/city over the past few years?
The most significant changes I have seen include Downtown Greenville developing from an area of Greenville that was just a quaint and quiet downtown space into a bustling city environment with small town charm. I have also seen previously neglected, red-lined neighborhoods become the most desirable locations to live.