Candidate Bio:
The spirit of servant leadership within Kenneth Williams has been shaped by his once “off track”
experience as an urban youth, where he was provided a second chance to commit his life to helping
others. The following biographic sketch outlines the drive, compassion and commitment that Kenneth
Williams has contributed to his community.
Kenneth Williams, 48, grew from humble beginnings. He is the third of four children to Joe Olivier and
Ludora Williams. Both parents reside on the South side of Chicago. His parents always instilled a value
system that included church, hard work and service to the community.
Even though, his parents tried hard to keep him on the straight and narrow. He made some mistakes. He
paid his debt and after a lot of reflection on his live, his upbringing, his mother’s influence and God … he
changed his life. That is what encouraged him to get involved in the community and return to the way
he was raised.
His family’s values would later position Williams professionally and politically. He recognizes the
importance of education, and appreciates the advantage of attending trade school, which has led to a
successful entrepreneurial career as a business owner and employer.
Williams was born in Chicago October 28, 1963. His father was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. He
owned and operated Joe's Tire Shop in Chicago's Roseland community for many years while his mom
was a homemaker, who raised Williams and his three siblings. Williams is a father and husband to Toni
Williams, of 11 years. They have resided in the 14th Senate District for over 15 years.
Williams grew up in the Robert Taylor Public Housing Development, where gangs and drugs ran
rampant. Even walking to school had its perils. Williams stayed focused relying on his parents' belief that
an education can lead you anywhere even out of the poverty-stricken streets of the inner-city. His
parents' values propelled Williams to do better for himself and to always help others.
Education:
Williams attended Debbie's School of Beauty Culture in Chicago in 1987, graduating as class
valedictorian with a Cosmetology License. Several years later, in 1991, he attended Dudley's
Cosmetology University for advanced training in Kernersville, NC. In 1994, Williams had reached a
turning point in his educational career at Dudley's Beauty School in Chicago. There he mastered the
cosmetology trade receiving a Cosmetology Educational Instructors License to teach all over the United
States. Finally in 2002, he attended Dudley leadership class in Kernersville NC, where he would enhance
his leadership skills through the direct mentoring of the beauty products founder Joel L. Dudley, of
Dudley Products Inc., bringing his total classroom hours of education and training to more than 5,000
certified hours. Williams firmly believes in entrepreneurialism, rather than being an employee and
recognized that this was his way out.
Achievements:
Williams has achieved many milestones, awards, and trophies relating to his personal and professional
career. He opened his first business in 1991, Silk N Classy Hair Trends in Riverdale IL. A second salon
followed in 1997 in Dolton IL. In 1999, Williams had reached the pinnacle of his dreams when Silk N
Classy Barber College was founded. From this venture, he would be able to give back more than the
free haircuts he offered to underprivileged children. To date he has provided more than 6,000 free
haircuts to families throughout Cook County. By opening the barber college, he would begin to birth
entrepreneurs that would expand across the United States empowering many men and women in
various communities through jobs and economic development. Williams and his students have been
involved in many hair show competitions, including Proud Lady Beauty Show and All About Men Urban
Look 2006, where he won first place. He also took home awards from the Proud Lady Beauty Show
Men's Urban Competition winning trophies in 2003 where he took fourth place; 2003 second place;
2001 fourth place; 1999 fifth place; 1998 second place, and 1998 third place. Additional awards include
first place prize in 1994 for Men's Commercial Barbering, second place in 1994 for Women All Day
Commercial, consecutive wins in 1994 and 1993 at the International Hair Competition in Atlanta GA, and
first place in 1992 for Salon Clique Most Professional Salon. Kenneth has been featured in several
magazines, including Black Sophisticates (2001), Salon Sense (2001), Proud Lady Booklet (2001) and Hair
Language (1990). By taking part in these events and exposing young men and women to these
experiences, Williams has shaped and changed many lives, both locally and nationally.
Williams' work ethic has afforded him the opportunity to work along side filmmakers, producers, actors,
and singers such as Courtney Vance, Regina King, Jason Alexander, Kathleen Turner, and R Kelly while
filming the 1999 movie “Love and Action in Chicago.” Also, Williams landed a role as the assistant hair
stylist in the very popular “Barber Shop” movie filmed in Chicago. Williams is a friend and personal
mentor to his former student Johnnie Wright, the personal hair stylist to First Lady Michelle Obama.
Community Service:
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Williams is a member of Valley Kingdom Ministries International under the leadership of Apostle H.
Daniel Wilson. He also serves as a member on the trustee board. He recognized early on that the youth
of today needed his help. In April 2009, Williams was elected as School District 205 board member.
During his campaign for school board, he emphasized changing the business as usual politics within
Thornton, Thornridge, and Thornwood High Schools in south suburban Cook County. He is also the
newly elected director-at-large for the South Cook Division of the Illinois School Board Association. He is
a member of the Lions International South Holland, Illinois Chapter. He is currently a coach for the South
Holland boys and girls little league baseball/softball teams. He coaches the Dolton Bears football team,
which includes more than 400 families. He serves as a mentor with “REAL FATHERS REAL MEN” to
young men and women who have no biological father in there lives. In 2000, he started the “FREE BACK
TO SCHOOL HAIR CUTS INITIATIVE” serving families in Altgeld Gardens TCA Clinic, Bronzeville TCA Clinic,
Englewood, Roseland, Dolton, Ford Heights, Harvey, and Riverdale. Williams is also the past president of
the Dolton Chamber of Commerce 2003/2004.