Margot M. Williams

Margot Williams is a Civic Engagement and Public Policy Educator in Cook County for the University of Illinois Extension. She is the former Director of the Workforce Development Department of the Urban League of Champaign County and Project Director for YEP UCAN (Youth Employment Program Utilizing Communities and Neighborhoods). YEP UCAN was a grant funded by the Department of Labor through collaborations with select National Urban League affiliates. The program targets young adults 18-21 years old who have not completed high school and/or are adjudicated. The primary goals of YEP UCAN are to help participants attain their GED as well as secure gainful unsubsidized employment.

Margot is also the former Director of Community Relations for Parkland College. She received her M.A. degree in Business Communications from Jones International University in May 2004 and holds a B.A. in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising/Promotions from Northern Illinois University. She has over fifteen years of experience in the public affairs, public relations, sales, and marketing. Before returning to Chicago, Margot also worked for the University of Illinois Athletic Department’s Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund, as well as the United Parcel Service and AT&T Media Services. She also hosted a television show called "Job Story," for Parkland College Educational Television (PCETV).

In her spare time, Margot provides promotions consulting services to various corporate, faith-based, and community organizations throughout Illinois, Atlanta, California and Las Vegas. Aside from exercising and practicing meditation techniques, she has also taught Chicago Style Steppin' throughout various park districts, fitness facilities, and dance studios. She enjoys studying Christian principles and has mentored middle school and high school-aged girls about Youth Empowerment Strategies (YES). She eventually turned her love for dance, flair for fashion, and interest in sewing into a business venture, www.StepNStyles.com, a web site featuring custom made bags and pouches for dancer's shoes and accessories. Her goal with this venture is to secure funds to utilize the StepNStyles business venture to develop a program to provide young people with an outlet to learn how to sew as a way to help build their self-esteem and positively contribute to the economic development of their communities.

She is the daughter of Barbara and Willie Williams and the granddaughter of former National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) member, Nettie L. Cook, who is also featured in the Early American Museum chronicles. Her father, Coach Williams, was an outstanding track athlete who broke Jesse Owens' world record in the 100 meters in 1956 and retired in August 2000 from being an Associate Head Men's Track Coach (emphasis on sprinters) of the University of Illinois. She has one sister, Darla, an adult son, Thomas and a nephew, Julian.