On September 19, 2025, Columbia’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management (NOPM) program welcomed L. Joy Williams, president of the New York State NAACP Conference of Branches, and host of the national podcast #SundayCivics, as a speaker in its monthly Program Director’s lunch and learn Leadership webinar series.
This series, hosted by Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., professor of practice and director of the NOPM program, features prominent nonprofit leaders who share career insights with students, faculty, and alumni regarding navigating the nonprofit landscape. This webinar focused on Williams and Dr. Smikle’s experiences in the nonprofit sector.
Williams has dedicated her career to advancing civil rights and social justice, most notably through her leadership as president of the New York State NAACP Conference of Branches. She also serves as chair of Higher Heights PAC, where she works to amplify the political power and voices of Black women nationwide. Through initiatives like #SundayCivics and community workshops, Williams empowers individuals with the tools and knowledge to engage meaningfully in the democratic process.
“Joy is a powerhouse, and I am so impressed,” Dr. Smikle said.
Dr. Smikle presented various insightful questions, integrating his own experiences into the conversation. As Williams discussed the importance of volunteering and feeling a sense of responsibility for one’s community, Dr. Smikle touched on his time on his high school paper and how he began sowing the seeds of his advocacy early in life.
The duo discussed civic engagement, voter suppression, and freedom of speech—topics pertinent to the current political climate. Beyond these ideas, Williams and Dr. Smikle also touched on the unique nature of Williams’ work. As a community leader, she works primarily with volunteers, which requires a different set of skills.
“Two of the big things that happen at our convention is the resolutions process, and that’s where I really began working on the process of branches bringing issues to the table that should be part of our legislative agenda,” Williams said.
As a community organizer, leader, and member, she works to hear the grievances and concerns of her community while remaining true to her mission as a nonprofit changemaker.
“When it comes to being successful as a community leader, it’s important to really take the time to chart out what communities need, and then gear your strategy based on that guiding north star,” Williams said. “To build strong teams, you have to actually value the team that you have and really understand who they are.”
A recording of this webinar can be found here. For more illuminating discussions with leaders in the nonprofit space, learn more about Nonprofit Management’s upcoming events.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, healthcare, the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
Learn more about the program here. The program is available part-time, full-time, on-campus, and online.
