Calvin Williams reached an inflection point in his career. He was stuck in positions that didn’t allow him to make the level of impact he knew he could, if he were only given the opportunity. Seeing colleague after colleague with the same level of work and educational experience achieve promotion after promotion, he knew something needed to change.

“I was done trying to prove my mettle to colleagues and others that didn’t already see or validate that. I needed to go where I could grow,” said Calvin Williams.

National Urban Fellows became the catalyst he needed.

“Many of us talk about being the first in the family to go to college, or to get an advanced degree. To be around other people who understand that journey, who invest in that as a strength is something that sets National Urban Fellows apart from other programs,” Calvin remarked.

Calvin was determined that his work make a great impact. However, National Urban Fellows expanded his vision of how his career could unfold. “NUF brought me clarity of my purpose.” Calvin felt challenged to reflect on why he was called to serve, and what that service would be.

“I realized I need to transform systems, because of how they’ve impacted the men in my family and millions of families.”

Calvin Williams was placed at The California Endowment, leading the Boys and Men of Color campaign.

“When I was introduced to a philanthropy willing to acknowledge the pitfalls in the philanthropic complex, pivot its grantmaking towards power building, and being explicitly and specifically about racial justice in its

Calvin Williams (he/him)

Grad Year: 2012

Current Role: Senior Advisor for Social Impact & Advocacy at Think Common Entertainment

Watch Calvin’s Story

“I needed to go where I could grow.”

work, it gave me an opportunity to tap into my own personal development and commitment and value for transformative stories and to cultivate that ecosystem of change agency,” he shared.

Calvin’s work has helped improve outcomes of boys and men of color in California. His impact as a National Urban Fellow ignited a path of building immersive narratives advancing justice and equity for all. Through National Urban Fellows, Calvin didn’t just find a place to grow his career but a lifelong support network that multiplied his commitment to community.

Learn more about the National Urban Fellows program and how you can be involved by visiting www.nuf.org.