Youngstown, Ohio’s first African American mayor was Roy Koyo Jawara Williams, popularly known as “Jay” Williams was born in Youngstown on September 26, 1971, and attended public schools in the city. After high school graduation he attended Youngstown State University where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1989. After graduation, he worked for several local banks and as an examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. He later became director of Youngstown’s Community Development Agency where he was instrumental in developing “Youngstown 2010,” an ambitious plan to reshape and redevelop the city of Youngstown, a project that won him praise and accolades locally and statewide.
On May 5, 2005 Williams announced plans to run for the mayor of Youngstown as an Independent candidate. Although a life-long Democrat, he had not taken part in the earlier Democratic primary and decided to run as an Independent. Williams won the election in November with an unexpectedly wide margin and at the age of 34 he became mayor of Youngstown and the first African American to hold that position.
As mayor Williams focused on public safety and economic development. He was quick to realize that regional economic growth was an essential part of Youngstown’s economic growth. As such he collaborated closely with other municipalities and regional governments to develop the economy of the entire region.
In August 2011 Williams resigned to become President Barack Obama’s “Auto Czar” in the federal Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers created in 2009. Willaims was charged with coordinating federal efforts to help rebuild U.S. communities reeling from the loss of auto-industry jobs.
In 2014 Williams was appointed Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development and administrator of the Economic Development Department in President Obama’s Administration. He held this position until 2017.
In July 2017 Williams took a position as President and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Based in Connecticut, the Hartford Foundation is dedicated to dismantling structural racism, achieve equity, and improving social and economic mobility in the Black and Latino communities within the geographic area it serves. In 2023 Hartford Foundation held $1.1 billion in charitable assets. The Hartford Foundation serves 29 towns and nearly 800,000 in the Greater Hartford area of Connecticut. The foundation funds programs that help create economic opportunities in distressed neighborhoods and generate greater employment opportunities. It is also committed to supporting basic human needs, arts and culture, civic and resident engagement.
Jay Williams is married to Sonja Williams, an educational administrator. They have a son, Ethan.
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“Jay Williams,” https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/author/jay-williams
“Jay Williams, 2007 Fenn Award Recipient,” https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/new-frontier-award/award-recipients/jay-williams-2007
“Jay Williams President and CEO,” https://www.hfpg.org/who-we-are/our-staff/jay-williams
“Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams Named Auto Recovery Czar,” https://www.industryweek.com/the-economy/public-policy/article/21932814/youngstown-mayor-jay-williams-named-auto-recovery-czar
