MEET OUR 2022 Lucy v. WILLIAMS foundation awardees
Celeste Miller
The Lucy V. Williams Foundation 2022 “My Brother’s Keeper” Award is presented to Ms. Celeste Miller. Celeste is the founder of the Unique Caring Foundation Incorporated, whose mission is to provide quality programs and services that will educate, assist and prepare individuals with specialized needs to live and compete in the 21st century. Since 2003, The Unique Caring Foundation, Inc. has been a licensed Child Care Placing Agency in North Carolina providing foster care to children who do not have relatives to care for them. This is not just a profession for Celeste, it is a mission and ministry.
Annika, Celeste’s beautiful daughter, was the sweet inspiration for fostering differently-abled young people. Celeste started working with Annika to provide care after school and on weekends. Celeste and Annika faced many challenges together but with God’s help, lots of prayer and patience, they succeeded. I experience a lot of sleepless nights, sleeping in the hospital and all of the unexpected but when I look at the person she has become with all the strengths she possess. I would do it all over again. Celeste noted…. She is the start of my 20 year journey working with individuals that have special needs.
Celeste has dedicated her life to the community that she serves her sincere love and care for differently abled people is an inspiration. When asked the question, AM I MY Brother’s Keeper… Celeste has responded with her actions, for over 20 years…YES I AM!
TIAWANA BROWN
The 2022 Lucy V. Williams Foundation Community Service Award is presented to Tiawana Brown. Tiawana, affectionately known as Tia, is a Charlotte native and dedicated Community Leader who has served in numerous capacities to uplift and enrich her beloved Queen City. Tiawana is the proud mother of two adult daughters: Antoinette and Tijema with the youngest, Tijema, her youngest of her only two daughter’s having been born in federal prison. Tia’s journey went from honor student in college to domestic violence survivor and eventually led to federal prison. Tia’s beautiful mother was her rock during her difficult time away and she credits her mother as the perfect role model. Tia survived Federal Prison and returned with a passion for helping those who are transitioning from incarceration. Her advocacy for people who have been incarcerated led her to create; Beauty After the Bars, a nonprofit that supports incarceration prevention, established in 2017. Tia is a phenomenal speaker, leader, mentor, advocate, humble servant and pillar in the community. Since starting Beauty after the Bars in 2017, she has worked tirelessly to be of service in a wide variety of ways. This energetic leader has spoken on panels, shared her story on Capitol Hill and traveled the world to advocate for people returning home.
Tia was on the Executive Board of the National Council for Incarcerated and formerly incarcerated Women and Girls and is still an active member on the Council. She was chosen to work on the Women and Incarceration Workgroup under the direction of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. This work group led research on the effects of women and incarceration and submitted feedback to the Governor and his team to implement change. She was also a Justice Fellow for JLUSA (Just Leadership USA) in 2020 and found time to establish a swimsuit line alongside her sister called; TC-Collections Swim Collections). Tia was chosen as a recipient of Susan Burton’s New Way of Life Safe home for women. This organization provides a safe place for women to stay-while they are in transition from incarceration, homelessness, domestic violence, and substance abuse challenges.
Tia’s passion for change has led her to many Leadership roles in the city of Charlotte. Some of her collaborative partnerships include projects with Grassroots organizations, Community Leaders, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Sheriff Department and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools System is also a North Carolina Community Healthcare Worker and a North Carolina Peer Support Specialist both certified through the State of North Carolina. Even with all of those irons in the fire, Tia decided to run for the City of Charlotte City Council District #3 in 2022. And just recently, she was the Regional Director for Community Engagement for the Cheri Beasley for United States Senate campaign in the 2022 mid-term elections. This ingenue enjoys spending time with her family and friends traveling, playing softball dancing, watching football, listening to music, and attending church.
Tia has adopted the famous quote from the late great Lewis… I’m going to get in some Good Trouble. Most importantly -Tia knows that there is a lesson in each life experience .She has learned from her past experiences and is now using that wisdom and knowledge to help others. Her goal is to continue this work and build a network of support to provide support to every person that is returning home from incarceration or that is in transition from incarceration.
rev. Dr. dana cathey-williams
The 2022 Lucy V. Williams Foundation Service Ministry Award is presented to Reverend Dr. Dana Cathey-Williams. She is the wife of Pastor Darrius Marvin Williams, the Pastor of Fire and Ice Ministry where she serves alongside her husband in ministry as the Co-Pastor and Leading Lady. They are a blended family with 4 wonderful children Jarvis, Darrius, Christian and Dia. Dr. Williams received her Bachelor of Arts, Masters in Christian Theology and Religious Studies, Doctorate in Theology and License Christian Counseling at Hope Bible Institute, in Baton Rouge LA. She received her Certificate of Christian Counseling from American Association of Christian Counselors while attending New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Seminary. Williams also attended Lee University in Charlotte NC and River Parish Community College in LA where she studied Theology.
Dr. Williams is a native of Charlotte, NC she worked in the Cosmetology industry for over 26 years, where she owned and operated 4 hair salons in 3 different states. In the salon industry she empowered woman daily and shared the love of Jesus with them while servicing them.
Williams has ministered at numerous Women’s Conferences around the world. She was honored as a Top Lady of Distinction in 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2015, Williams released her first book, Deep Darkness, which launched her Women’s Transformation Group called ButterflyLife. The ButterflyLife group focuses on inner healing for women and teenage girls, teaching them the glory of living a healthy lifestyle after trauma. She is the Founder of the Can You Hear Me Now, Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Campaign. This powerful visionary wrote on an October 18TH Facebook post, “When I stepped into this space I had no idea of the journey that the Father was going to take me on. Many are afraid to speak out about abuse because of shame and they believe they are in this alone.
Father I pray that many will come forth and get the help that they need as a result of this Campaign. She just released her first book of a ten-part children’s book series entitled Teeter Totter Gets Smarter. Williams owns and operates in A Beautiful Butterfly Christian Counseling Center. Williams’s heart desire is to continue to serve, empower and encourage women, men, and teenage girls all around the world. She carries a passion for total healing for men and women in the body of Christ. Dr. Dana Cathey-Williams believes great success is in the mind and hands of all who believe.
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WHO WAS LUCY V. WILLIAMS?
Lucy Virginia Williams was a humble missionary and humanitarian who dedicated her life to God and serving others...
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