MICHAEL ROBERT WILLIAMS, Ph.D. – MPH, 64, departed this earthly life and entered his eternal heavenly home Tuesday, July 12, 2016. He was born May 11, 1952 in Youngstown Ohio, the loving son of Mrs. Rosalee Wilcox and Frank James Williams, Sr.

Dr. Williams leaves to cherish his precious memories: one daughter, Chloe Williams of Lyndhurst, Ohio; two brothers; George (Marjorie) Williams of New Castle, Delaware; Frank James (Monica) Williams, Jr. of Fayetteville, North Carolina; a sister Kimberly Wilcox of Youngstown, Ohio; four aunts: Deborah Belk of St. Louis, Missouri, Lillian Rozenblad and Florence Rouse, both of Youngstown, Vivian Lott of Rancho Palos Verdes, California; one uncle Cleveland Moutry (Dauphinia) of Copley, Ohio and a God-daughter, Melissa Moutry of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Michael was preceded in death by his parents Rosalee and Carl Wilcox.

Michael accepted Christ at an early age and was currently a member of Warrensville Road Community Baptist Church.

Dr. Williams attended undergraduate school at Mt. Union, he obtained his MSW from MSASS at Case Western Reserve University. His MPH was from University of Pittsburgh as well as his PH.D in social work. He came to teach at Cleveland State University in 1985 in the Department of Social Work. In 1990 he became the interim Director of Black Studies and Director in 1995. Dr. Williams, as a tenured professor, continued to teach his social work classes while working diligently to make Black Studies a major which occurred in 2011. Due to his efforts, Cleveland State University, now has a major and minor in Black Studies. Dr. Williams was active in the Association Black Cultural Centers and was an active Board member and received a salute from ABCC as “100 of Most Active Culture Centers” in 2010. He has received recognition and numerous awards: Unsung Heroes from CAAO; Unity Award from Cleveland State University; Neighborhood Leadership Institute, Partner in Community Leadership Award; Outstanding Faculty Award, CSU Learning Communities, several certificates of recognition and participation from various student groups at the University, and community groups including the BBCI Hip Hop workshop.
He was a member of Phi Alpha Honor Society since 1998. He obtained his M. Div. from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1998. As a student he obtained several educational internships at Kenneth Clement Health Center; Regional Council on Alcoholism Community Planning Department, City of Cleveland; Collinwood Community Services Center. Michael was a tenured professor for in the Department of Social Work and taught entry level and advanced courses. He had also served as vice president, director, consultant, therapist, and counselor for graduate and minority students in various settings from undergraduate school, community mental health facilities and community based organizations.
His awards and honors started at North High School where he was chosen for First Team All-City Selection in Football and Track; Three event all American track at Mt. Union; Black Student of the Year at Mt. Union; Whose Who Recognition award; Co-founder of the Youngstown Ohio African American Family Week; Council of Social Work Education Fellowship award; Curtis Wilson outstanding Black faculty and Staff award, CSU; and Outstanding faculty of the year award at CSU.
He also found time to be affiliated with numerous professional organizations: NAACP, National Association of Black Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists, Inc., American Public Health Association and National Black Child Development Institute. In addition to his professional affiliations, he also served on several boards throughout his stellar career: Board member of Garfield Community Services Center, member Senior Citizens Planning Board Federation for Community Planning, Executive Committee Member, Association of Behavioral Scientists; board member of Senior Outreach Services; Regional Council on Alcoholism and the Cleveland Urban Agency for Health Careers, Benjamin Rose Institute Advisory Council; Commission of Health Concerns; City of Cleveland Taskforce on Aids in the Black Community, Neighborhood Centers Association, Collinwood Community Services Center and Francis Calgee Health Foundation. At the national level, he was National President, Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists; Board chair of Collinwood Community Services Center; Chairperson, Senior Outreach Services, Vice-President, National Child Development Institute Cleveland Chapter.
He was mentor and advisor to numerous student led programs on campus. He still found time to publish and conduct research on topics on: Culturally Relevant treatment with African American populations; Political use of The Concept of Race; Aids in the African American community, Factors affecting Black Participation in the Title 1 and 11 programs. Published African American Older Adults: People Health Concerns and Health Programs; Understanding and Serving the Black Aged; Ethnicity and Aging, State of Black Cleveland; The Role of Racism in Shaping the 1935 Social Security Act.
One of Dr. William’s great loves was the Jazz Heritage Orchestra, a seventeen piece big band. JHO is an orchestra in residence of the Black Studies Program of Cleveland State University. Under his tutelage the orchestra had the opportunity to record with nationally known artist Bennie Goldstein. The Treasures of Jazz fall concert featured local, national and international singers. The spring concert, “Simply Ellington” featured master classes by the orchestra for high school students and a band festival. “Simply Ellington” is affiliated with Jazz at Lincoln Center.
At his death he was working on four book manuscripts: African American Experience; Social Security and African Americans: Implications for Economic Well-Being; African American Males and Social Security, as well as, the Politics of Cultural Diversity: The Cleveland State Experience.
Dr. Michael R. Williams was certainly an accomplished man of letters but the preceding awards and accolades do, not adequately tell you the breadth and depth of this man. He literally poured himself into his students, his work, his community, his family. His transition leaves a void which we all are called to fill. When will we get ourselves together to do great things, to renew our relationship with God, to improve our relationships with spouses, our families and others, to remove our negative thinking, to love ourselves, so we can love one another? When?

•Remembering Dr. Michael Williams 1952-2016
•Cleveland State University is sad to report the passing of Michael Williams, Ph.D., director of the Black Studies Program.
•Dr. Williams was instrumental in launching the bachelor’s degree in Black Studies at CSU. He came here in 1985 as an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work. Six years later, he was promoted to associate professor.
•In 2004, Dr. Williams was appointed director of the Black Studies Program (which he previously led as interim director), a position he held until his untimely death July 12 at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
•A man of many interests and prodigious gifts that he openly shared, Dr. Williams earned a doctorate in Social Work and a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. He also held a master’s degree in Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Mount Union College.
•He was a passionate supporter of the arts, too, particularly Cleveland’s Jazz Heritage Orchestra.
•“Perhaps the most striking thing about Dr. Williams was the heartfelt concern that he radiated – for the community, for his colleagues and most of all for the many students he challenged and inspired,” CSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Jianping Zhu wrote in a letter to students, faculty and staff. “The CSU family will greatly miss Michael Williams, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and all who were privileged to know him.”

•M.Div., 1998-present, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio
•Ph.D., 1985, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
•MPH, 1983, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
•MSSA, 1977, School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
•B.A., 1974, Sociology, Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio