Emmy Award-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams, known for his powerhouse HBO drama roles as “Omar Little” in “The Wire,” “Albert ‘Chalky’ White” in “Boardwalk Empire,” and “Montrose Freeman” in “Lovecraft Country” was presented the Dick Gregory Good Brother Award at the National Congress of Black Women’s 37th Annual Awards Ceremony, held Sunday, Sept. 19 in a virtual event. He was among 10 individuals receiving recognition at the yearly gathering for their contributions to “black culture or black excellence.”
NCBW is a nonpartisan voice of advocacy on issues affecting the appointment of women at all levels of government, with a goal to increase the participation of women of color in the educational, political, economic and social arenas, according to its website.
Williams, 55, who died on Sept. 6, received the award posthumously.
“The purpose of the awards is to honor those people who have made a significant difference in our communities,” said Dr. E. Faye Williams, NCBW national president. “Michael K. Williams [no relation] was a brilliant five-time Emmy Award-nominated actor who was an activist at heart. Giving back to the community played an important role in his off-camera life.”
Despite a well-chronicled history of childhood molestation, petty crimes as teen, and a drug addiction that reportedly contributed to his death, Williams channeled his “trauma” into some of the most iconic characters in modern-day television history and into his off-screen work in inner-city mentoring programs and juvenile justice reform.
In acceptance speech recorded prior to his death and presented at the event, Williams thanked the National Congress of Black Women while acknowledging his community work as a simple, but vital obligation.
“The work I do deserves no accolades, no pats on the back. In my heart, I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing as a man from the same communities our youth are struggling in today,” said Williams, who grew up in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. “So, the way I look at it is, if I don’t win, our youth don’t win. If I don’t come back and bring my goals and my experiences and my knowledge back to the community, what’s it all for?”
He also expressed his love of the arts for making him the person he became.
National Congress of Black Women’s 37th Annual Awards Ceremony
Sept. 19, 2021
"exclusive video" filmed before his Sept. 6 passing
Courtesy of NCBW
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