Darlene Williams is an award-winning businesswoman, adjunct lecturer, bestselling author, and nationally recognized youth and literacy advocate. She serves as President of the acclaimed Black Authors Festival, ranked by USA Today as one of the nation’s top new festivals. Under her visionary leadership, the Festival honors distinguished Black authors while championing literacy, free speech, and anti-censorship efforts in marginalized communities. In recognition of its cultural impact, the East Hampton Town Supervisor and Board officially declared August as Black Authors Festival Month.

A five-time author and mentor to nearly 50 emerging women writers, Darlene is the founder of The Higher Level Method™, a premier personal and professional development firm. She is a certified personal and professional development coach and has produced transformative books and curricula featuring powerhouse contributors such as WNBA legend Kym Hampton, fashion icon Claire Sulmers, financial educator Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, and beloved actress BernNadette Stanis.

Darlene has long been a major player on Long Island, contributing to historic preservation, public health, and civic engagement. She served on the Urban League of Long Island’s major summer fundraising committee Sunset in Sag Harbor; coordinated HIV awareness forums in partnership with Dr. Brian L. Harper, Suffolk County’s first African American Commissioner of Health; and collaborated with the Town of Huntington to designate John Coltrane’s Dix Hills home as a historic landmark. She also worked with Dr. Booker T. Washington’s great-granddaughter, Edith Washington, and the NY Chapter of Tuskegee University Alumni to preserve Washington’s historic Long Island home.

Her civic leadership includes spearheading a major voter registration drive under Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi’s administration. Hosted alongside a hip-hop concert featuring Mase, Elephant Man, and Ne-Yo, the initiative registered nearly 6,000 new voters across Suffolk and Nassau Counties. She later developed backstage protocol for another major concert with G-Unit, Fat Joe, and Mobb Deep.

Beyond publishing, Darlene is a formidable force in advocacy and education. She has developed youth-centered curricula implemented across New York City juvenile detention facilities and co-leads initiatives focused on literacy equity, juvenile justice reform, with her husband’s non profit, A Father’s Love Personal Development and Community Services. She is actively engaged in working with elected officials in hopes of drafting legislation preserving free expression, protecting the first amendment right, and combating book censorship nationwide.

As a student of Dr. Sebi, Queen Afua, and Dr. Gary Null, Darlene also founded Mama Lean’s Herbal Remedies, a wellness company producing high-quality natural products. Through workshops and personalized consultations, she helps clients address root causes of health concerns with custom herbal formulations.

She holds a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree from Stony Brook University, is a certified life coach, School of Achology, Scotland, UK, and a Harvard-certified rhetorician. Blending academic rigor with real-world impact, Darlene Williams continues to inspire through leadership, advocacy, and her unwavering commitment to community empowerment.

Maurice L. Williams, MSW, MA,  Vice President

Maurice L. Williams serves as Vice President of the Black Authors Festival and is the Executive Director of A Father’s Love Personal Development & Community Services, a nonprofit dedicated to youth empowerment and literacy equity. A multi-hyphenate leader, he is also a Chaplain, adjunct lecturer, author, filmmaker, and clothing designer whose work spans social justice, education, and the arts.

Maurice is the author of the acclaimed book, Bastard: From Prisoner to Professor, a powerful memoir chronicling his transformation and commitment to advocacy. He is also the Founder of the Far Rock Peace Treaty, a groundbreaking initiative designed to reduce violence and build bridges within underserved communities. His storytelling extends beyond the page into film, where he has produced independent works that highlight resilience and justice.

A proud graduate of Columbia University’s School of Social Work, Maurice has distinguished himself as a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Fellow, a Beyond the Bars Fellow, and a New York University MAT Fellow. He also served as an Editor for the Columbia Law School Jailhouse Manual team, contributing to legal resources for incarcerated individuals.

Maurice continues to blend his personal journey with his professional expertise, using education, creativity, and advocacy to inspire systemic change and elevate marginalized voices.

For more information about Maurice and A Father’s Love, visit his website: www.afatherslove54.com

Photo Credit: Sequoyah Daniel