The Black Son SHINE
Mr. Sam Williams has over twenty-five years of experience in the non-profit sector. A native of Boston, he holds a master’s degree in science of City Planning from Boston University. Currently, Mr. Williams serves as the Executive Director for Concord Prison Outreach. He has played a key role in various local, statewide, and national initiatives addressing issues such as historical racial injustice, racial profiling, juvenile justice reform, restorative justice, positive youth development, and public safety. In addition to his leadership in these areas, Sam has contributed to men’s empowerment work throughout the Greater Boston community, focusing on youth, adults, and individuals returning home from incarceration.
For almost three decades, he led men’s groups with organizations such as United Souls Program, Nurturing Father, BRAVE Unit, and Brother’s Healing Circles. He also provides programming, training, and coaching at various Department of Corrections facilities, including MCI-Norfolk, MCI-Walpole, MCI-Shirley, Northeastern Correctional Center, Sheriff County Houses of Corrections in Dedham and Billerica, and the Massachusetts District Federal Courts. Sam is a 200-hour Certified Yoga Instructor (registered with Yoga Alliance) and a 200-hour Certified Meditation Teacher (Radiant Sutra School of Meditation). He is also a trained trauma-informed facilitator and a Restorative Justice Practitioner.
Sam emphasizes the importance of empowering healthy minds and bodies through awareness-building, personal accountability, and self-directed learning strategies. Since 2001, Sam has served as the Co-Chair of the Community Advisory for the Northeastern University Center for Race and Justice for over 20 years.
In 2019, Mr. Williams was honored by the City of Boston (City Council) for his work in Men’s Healing Circles through restorative justice. In 2006, he received the Boston Neighborhood Fellows Award from The Philanthropic Initiative for his leadership and commitment to others. Other honors include the Whittier Street Men’s Health Summit Health Champion Award in 2006, the Jay Blitzman Youth Advocacy Awarding 2004, and the Action for Boston Community Development Award in 2004 for his outstanding volunteer contributions to the City of Boston. Massachusetts Department of Correction 2025 Professional Volunteer Award 2024