Jarvis Williams

Director for Race and Democracy

Jarvis Williams has more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of religious, academic, policy, and non-profit institutions. As Director for Race and Democracy, Jarvis leads the development and implementation of a cross-cutting portfolio of work within the Horizons Project to embed a racial justice and equity lens into all areas of our ecosystem organizing. Jarvis provides both external and internal thought leadership on the inextricable linkages between racial justice and pro-democracy organizing as well as serves as a network weaver between leaders and organizations working on different aspects of this work. As an integral member of the team, Jarvis helps drive internal strategy and represents Horizons in the ecosystem.

Jarvis is an established leader within organizations and communities advocating for racial justice, equity, and accountability. He has served in several consequential positions all designed to strategically advance racial justice and equity within US democracy. Prior to joining The Horizons Project, Jarvis worked as a Senior Pastor, public issue campaign strategist, adjunct professor, racial equity and accountability strategist, policy analyst, research director, and policy consultant. In every role, Jarvis has been consequential in the organization’s strategic planning, prioritization, and execution of racial justice and equity agendas.

He has been invited to speak around the country on strategies for advancing racial justice and enriching our democratic culture in academic institutions, religious institutions, Fortune 500 corporations, and with policymakers at the state and local level. Jarvis has also published articles, developed data training and workshops, supported research analyses grounded in racial equity considerations, and mentored emerging voices working to embed racial justice and equity into their respective areas of expertise. He was awarded a racial equity fellowship at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management and is currently working to support and create content for their Racial Justice and Technology Policy program. He is also a racial equity consultant with Enterprising Ventures of Color. Jarvis holds a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies from Mississippi State University, a Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center, a Master of Social Policy degree from Brandeis University, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Social Policy at Brandeis University in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management.