Dwayne Williams Jr.
Co-Founder & President
Dwayne Williams Jr., is a bright once-in-a-lifetime leader who was born with a knack for community. Born in 2001 - Dwayne was raised learning to touch every part of the City, absorb what each of the unique cultures and people has to offer, and be reflective of what he could offer back to them. Educated in schools across the Chicagoland area, Dwayne had the unique experience of attending 4 elementary schools across the city. From there he went on to attend 3 high schools, and graduated from Lindblom Math & Science Academy. It’s this exposure that showed Dwayne that there were people who lived through means far beyond his wildest dreams, as well as those not as privileged as him or his peers, and requiring additional assistance to unlock their potential.
As Dwayne built a passion for both business and social justice, it was no question that he would pursue Social Entrepreneurship later in life. He began his higher education journey at Loyola University Chicago in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic and racial tensions that stormed America - Looking for the best way to thrive and built support around the causes he cared for, he transferred to Howard University for his sophomore year and later went on to graduate with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management from the esteemed Historically Black University.
Before leaving to D.C. awaiting the ‘Howard Experience’, Dwayne & his great-aunt & Co-Founder, Kim Ammons sought to form the Gresham Community Center (GCC) in April of 2021. A physical community center, small but mighty - seeking to be a beacon of light to those whose lives have been systemically suspended in the shadows. Under Dwayne’s leadership and the support of the Board of Directors - GCC has directly impacted 5,000+ lives in the Chicagoland area.
Now back in Chicago, and pursuing an Executive Certification in Nonprofit Leadership from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management - Dwayne seeks to usher in an elevated era of impact and change for both GCC and Chicago.