School Committee’s Michael Williams honored at State House

The Black and Latino Legislative Caucus honored Acton School Committee member Michael Williams at the Black Excellence on the Hill Awards on February 27.

State Rep. Carmine Gentile, D-13th Middlesex, selected Williams for the annual recognition, which salutes leaders from across Massachusetts for their contributions to their communities.

Williams, who was elected to the School Committee last year, used the moment to reflect. 

“It was humbling, because it was a difficult campaign, and the people in our community really, really supported me,” he said. “Everything our community has done, it strikes me that we are different, and we’re striving to be our best together.”

In a statement provided to The Acton Bridge, Gentile said he was impressed by Williams’ knowledge of issues facing students, families, and faculty, as well as his commitment to the Acton-Carlisle public schools. 

He also cited the retired pediatric surgeon’s “Acton for All” School Committee campaign and his leadership during difficult conversations over the past year.

Acton schools experienced multiple bias and hate-related incidents this fall, including racist, antisemitic, and transphobic graffiti at Acton-Carlisle High School and scarecrow-style displays criticizing schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter. 

Before that, the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations alleged in a federal civil rights complaint that the district failed to adequately address the persistent harassment of Jewish students.

“Now more than ever, our communities lean on the tireless efforts of advocates like Dr. Williams who are constantly working hard to shape our schools and towns for the better,” Gentile said.