There are two things that stand out about Carl Williams: (1) He is a family man first, and (2) No matter where life takes him or how many years he is away, he will always consider himself a North Carolina Country Boy. Born in Kinston, NC and raised in Charlotte, NC; its always been a hard task to select one as his hometown. So he claims both.
Theresa Williams gave birth to Carl at the age of 18. She was a high school senior and now unsure if she would be able to accept admittance to the University of North Carolina after graduation. Her younger sister Martha, volunteered to fulfill her God Parent duties along with her husband Larry, to raise Carl while Theresa was in school. This display of family dedication would help shape Carl through out in his life.
After graduation, Theresa married her college sweetheart Allen Bethea. The couple, along with Carl, moved to Charlotte, NC. Carl was now five years old and was not fond of leaving the life he's known behind.
There were many pros and cons that resulted from the relocation. His parents had more job opportunities and could earn higher salaries. Carl was able to attend better schools, and take advantage of new opportunities when he gets older. But what was left behind was just as valuable. He rarely got to see the family he was accustomed to seeing daily, loss his usual playmates and had to get acclimated to a new, larger city.
His immediate family started to grow. There were now two little sisters named April and Ellena. His sisters are seven and nine years younger that him. He protected them and shared the same love that was given to him. Due to the age difference they were not looked upon as playmates. He branched out in his new neighborhood and made new friends. He even started new hobbies. Carl became an artist and played organized sports. Track and Field was his favorite.
He continued to explore his new environment but something was still missing. Carl looked forward to scheduled breaks from school, so he could return to Kinston. There he was surrounded by family close to his age. He was delighted to see that many of them shared his newfound love for running and basketball. He would stay the entire summer. This was his recess.
Life back in Charlotte was balanced with work and play. As long as Carl continued to earn good grades in school, his parents would all him to play sports. Plus, his mother would enroll him in youth leadership training classes and volunteer him for community service projects. Two of the last places a teenager would select to be. Carl recalls, "I hated it! I wanted to be in the streets playing, not in a classroom learning how to be a leader."
Being more focused in sports and girls, Carl didn't explore many avenues at West Charlotte High School to put these acquired skills to work. He only participated in an all male fellowship and volunteering organization named Casual Male.
This filled the absence of brotherhood Carl felt being away from his extended family when school was in session. "I remember many of my friends having this close connection with their family members that also attended WC and wishing I had the same. The last time I shared a school with a relative was Kindergarten back at South East Elementary in Kinston." Casual Male was new on campus. Carl was elected President during his senior year. In this capacity, he lead the charge to establish partnerships with area non-profit organizations and represent his high school in a positive light throughout the neighborhood. The fellowship aspect of the organization enticed him far after he exited the school with his diploma in June 1993.
The following fall, Carl moved to Greensboro NC, where he would spend the next four years as a design student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Once again Carl found himself having to set roots in a new city. This time he was accompanied by childhood friends. This made the transition much easier. As he moved his personal belongs into his dorm room, he was stopped by Dwyon Hunter. A new friend he met during freshman orientation, who would later end up being his roommate the last three years of school. Dwyon invited him to visit his room once both were settled in and their families have departed. Later that night, Carl went to visit him. He was not in his room. Carl was greeted by Dwyon's roommate Major, who was wearing a Williams Family Reunion Shirt. Carl introduced himself and mentioned they shared a last name. Major responded, "My last name is Cowan but I am a Williams. My family is from Kinston, NC." Carls mouth dropped. He eagerly replied, "I'm from Kinston!" They quickly shared there family lineage and found themselves to be third cousins. That was enough for Carl and Major. Later that night Major introduced him to another distant cousin, Colin Williams. They instantly connected. They were together daily and even changed dorm rooms the following year to become neighbors. The trio even pledged the same fraternity. The Williams klan grew to six the following year. Saying Carl was excited is an understatement.
College life encouraged Carl to get the full collegiate experience. He further developed his leadership skills by being active on campus. He obtained membership in five campus organizations, made the Dean's List 7 out of 8 semesters, and decided to become a life long member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Carl now resides in Arlington, VA. He continues the tradition of "family first" and mentors his younger relatives. He is now a God father to Chiara Williams, a younger first cousin. Who is his inspiration to perpetually better himself.
Audience:
Carolina Alumni Review - Campus Profile
Abstract:
Carl Williams credits family values and new beginnings for his accomplishments.
Keywords:
Carl williams, family, leadership, kinston, charlotte, greensboro, north carolina, track and field, alpha phi alpha, west charlotte, north carolina a&t state university
No comments:
Post a Comment