Deacon Laverne S. Williams, CSW, Zoom and guest on 7.6.21 at 2pm

During this time of crisis and uncertainty many rely on faith for support and stability. The community is invited to join Laverne S. Williams, CSW, a Deacon at the Union Baptist Church in Montclair, for a free Zoom.us session, entitled "Thankful Tuesdays." During these sessions, Deacon Williams and her special guests explore important topics centered around faith and spirituality. The program is offered at 2 p.m. every Tuesday: individuals may participate online through the Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/424719863?pw... or by visiting Zoom.us, Meeting ID number 424 719 863, Password 469922 or by calling 646-558-8656. The program may also be viewed on Facebook Live @MentalHealthAssociationinNewJerseyInc.

On Tuesday, July 6, Deacon Williams' guest will be Joanne Ashe who will discuss "The Effects of Racism on People of Color... from Childhood to Adulthood."
Ms. Ashe describes herself as follows: I am a mother of four, grandmother of 10, ex-wife, teacher, poet, spoken word artist, and stand-up comic … (Not necessarily in that order.)

I retired from Verizon, after 25 years of service. (Actually, I was there when it was New Jersey Bell; long before Caller ID and Call Waiting were even invented!) After that milestone, I began teaching, formally, in my hometown of Montclair, N.J. Teaching has always been my passion! I was an 8th Grade Proficiency volunteer tutor for 9 years in ELA and Writing. I also taught an extra-curricular poetry class for 8 years in the district. I have been an active member of the Montclair Literary Festival since its inception and many of my students have not only participated in the festival's annual poetry contests but have gone on to become winners.

In 1986, I became a founding member of the recently deceased, Academy Award winning actress, Olympia Dukakis' women's writer's group, "The Gathering," where I produced, directed, and performed at The Whole Theater; a local Montclair venue founded by Olympia and her late husband, actor Louis Zorich. Through that experience, I travelled throughout the country, ultimately performing for N.O.W (The National Organization for Women) at the Knotting Hill (San Francisco) home of Senator Dianne Feinstein and others. Actually, Olympia was the person who fomented my foray into the world of comedy, stating emphatically, (after hearing my poetry) "You need to be doing stand-up!" I have been standing up, ever since! As a comic, I have performed at numerous venues in the Tri-State Area, including The Gotham Comedy Club, Caroline's, Stand-up NY, The Comedy Cellar…all in New York City and appeared on Rascals TV and Lifetime Television's "Girls Night Out," back in the 90's.

I still perform spoken word as often as I can and have shared the stage with such notables as Dr. Leonard Jeffries, the outspoken and controversial CUNY professor and uncle of The Honorable Congressman (D-NY), Hakeem Jeffries, the late, great Amiri Baraka, (former Poet Laureate of The State of New Jersey), his equally talented wife, Amina, as well as his son, The Honorable Ras Baraka, the current Mayor of Newark. It was during this time of literary growth, that I also became a member of the Newark Writer's Collective, where we wrote and performed our poetry at Newark Symphony Hall and many other venues.
I am currently on task to receive my master's in Special Education and should be graduating at the end of August 2021 (God willing!) I am still undecided as to whether I will go on to obtain another master's degree as a Reading Specialist, or whether I will attend Law School with my 2nd oldest granddaughter, Nia, who will be graduating May of 2022 with a Bachelor's in Political Science and a minor in English. We plan to take the LSAT's (Law School Admissions Test) in October. My eldest grandchild, Assata (yes, I named her) graduated with a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) in December of 2020 and is currently looking into master's programs. Oh yes, with God's favor, we do have a plan!

So Yes! Writing, Teaching, Performing, and going to school, are obviously, what I do. However, who I am, is a combination of all those things in the first paragraph…. Just, not necessarily in that order!!!
Laverne Williams, CSW is the Director of the PEWS (Promoting Emotional Wellness and Spirituality) Program for the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. Ms. Williams is a New Jersey Certified Social Worker, WRAP (Wellness & Recovery Action Plan) Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. With over 35+ years of experience in mental health service, Ms. Williams is a highly sought- after conference keynote and workshop facilitator. Her workshops have been presented to numerous statewide and local agencies, consumer organizations and family member groups. As an advocate on behalf of persons with mental illness, and a Deacon at her church, Ms. Williams diligently develops partnerships between faith-based communities and behavioral health institutions by bridging the gap between theology and mental health.

Ms. Williams was quoted in the April 2017 #1 best-selling book, Option B – Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Gant.

To contact Deacon Williams please email lwilliams@mhanj.org.