Savannah R. Overton Williams, M.A.

Chief Equity & Talent Officer | Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner | Media Scholar | Arts Administrator | Youth Sports Advocate | Community Partner

United States

About

Diversity, equity, and inclusion nonprofit executive and corporate practitioner dedicated to people-centered, innovative solutions that create brave and dynamic organizational culture. Accomplished leader looking to promote global and cultural awareness and expand institutional opportunities to support identity, equity, DEIJB growth, and development through strategic practices, human resources, talent management, and communications. Youth sports executive, educator and arts administrator specialized in media literacy and social justice. Executive lead and project manager with 15+ years of experience improving organizational culture and increasing revenue through fundraising and engagement for non-profits and media organizations. A resourceful, empathetic, visionary leader, media research scholar, and inventive entrepreneur with a multicultural and multidisciplinary perspective. Seeking to leverage leadership, employee management and development expertise.

Experience

  • Harlem Lacrosse (4 yrs 6 mos)
    • Chief Equity & Talent Officer
      Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Senior Director, Equity & Talent
      Feb 2022 - Jul 2024 · 2 yrs 6 mos

  • Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at VISIONARY FARM INC
    2005 - Present · 21 yrs 7 mos

    • Oversee conservation and design of curricula from historical publications and collections that created the book and traveling exhibit, “The Media: Shaping the Image of a People” by Bill Overton. Part owner, family operated. • Designed and developed a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy that included cultural awareness campaigns and competency initiatives, employee, and leadership training.

  • Duke Ellington School of the Arts (7 yrs 7 mos)
    • Director of External Affairs & Community Engagement
      Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 · 1 yr 7 mos

    • Director of Enrollment & Educational Partnerships
      Feb 2018 - Aug 2020 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    • Director of Admissions
      Aug 2014 - Feb 2018 · 3 yrs 7 mos

  • Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs at The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
    Apr 2019 - Jul 2020 · 1 yr 4 mos

    Managed corporate sponsorships to launch the first annual, Can We Talk? Conference hosted by Taraji P. Henson in an effort to eradicate the stigma of mental health in the black community.

  • Travel Ambassador & Travel Ambassador Mentor at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)
    2016 - Apr 2019 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    • Led annual service-learning study abroad travel. (Peru, 2016; Senegal, 2017; Ecuador, 2018) • Designed, presented, and facilitated a training session in Barcelona entitled, “Cultural Awareness & Understanding Bias While on Travel” to 100 DC educators.