Session 5: Recipe for Reconciliation

M. Quentin Williams Quentin Williams is an attorney, author, prolific international speaker and master storyteller, former FBI agent and former federal prosecutor who has held positions as an executive with the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA). Williams currently serves as an industry adviser, business strategist, crisis management consultant and legal expert with a wealth of knowledge and experience in wide-ranging areas of business, including the sports and entertainment industries. With more than 30 years of established business expertise and over 25 years of legal experience, he is a trusted confidant and experienced educator with a lengthy record of successful deal-making and community advocacy. An in-demand keynote speaker and instructor at the FBI National Academy (FBINA), he has addressed business, political, education and community leaders at conferences, symposia and other events worldwide, including acclaimed lectures at Harvard University, the FBI Academy, AXA Corporate, the United States Department of Justice’s U.S. Attorney’s Office (District of Connecticut), National Reconnaissance Office and Driver Education’s national association. And some say that Unicorns don't exist!

This impressive pedigree serves Williams well as chairman and chief executive officer of The Butler Lappert Williams Firm PC (BLW Firm)–a full-service New York City law firm. The BLW Firm represents the legal and business interests of companies and individuals across a broad spectrum of industries including sports, entertainment, fashion, media, technology, medical, legal, financial, law enforcement and education. Williams is also chairman and chief executive officer of Williams Media and Marketing Group, LLC (Williams Media), a Los Angeles-based company. Founded in 2002, Williams Media creates, owns and produces media projects and events, and offers brand development strategies for domestic and international properties.

Williams’ high-achieving high school academic record and All-State football honors earned him numerous academic and athletic scholarship offers from many of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Ultimately, he selected Boston College (BC) and attended BC on a full football scholarship. In 1987, he earned an undergraduate degree in economics and began his career as an administrator at a New York City law firm for one year before attending St. John’s University School of Law (SJUL). In 1991, Williams graduated from law school with a concentration in labor law and worked as a litigator for one year with a New York City law firm before being appointed to serve as a special agent for the FBI.

After several years of service and being recognized on numerous occasions by the FBI for his excellence and dedication as a law enforcement officer, Williams accepted an offer to serve as a federal prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Connecticut. He prosecuted both white-collar and violent crime cases as an Assistant United States Attorney.

Then, the National Football League (NFL) was so impressed with Quentin that it created a position for him so that he could save the lives of its cherished players.

He transitioned into the world of professional sports with the position at the National Football League (NFL) in New York City where he worked on off-the-field policy issues - to include his authorship of the league's first Violent Crime Policy.

A position with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars followed wherein Williams negotiated player contracts and supervised several departments in the area of football operations. Under his guidance, the team was recognized as having the NFL’s Most Outstanding Player Development Program. He subsequently served as team president for the North Charleston Lowgators, an NBA minor league team that was spotlighted during its championship run in

the ESPN reality series, Down Low – Life in the D-League. While with the NBA, the Charleston Regional Business Journal selected Williams as one of the city’s most influential “40 Under 40” business leaders.

A dedicated community leader and mentor, Williams is an advocate for self-empowerment and service to others. He is the founder and chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization, Dedication to Community (D2C), and the impetus behind the D2C initiative Choose2Live—a community advocacy program that engages middle school through college students, law enforcement, community groups and inmates as audiences for building strong professional relationships and making positive, healthy, and rational life choices.

Quentin’s widely distributed and critically acclaimed book, “A Survival Guide: How NOT To Get KILLED By The POLICE”, serves as the premier text for building relationships and constructing successful communities.

His on-screen analytical and public speaking skills are in high demand by film, television, radio, and on-line media outlets - including ESPN and other national and local platforms.

In 2018, Quentin was honored by corporate titan and community partner, TIAA, as a “Making A Difference” leader – an award that recognizes individuals who are impacting society successfully through a demonstrated commitment to positive change. And in 2019, Quentin was appointed to serve on the FBI Law Enforcement Education and Training Council at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia where he is an instructor, teaching law enforcement leaders how to develop and implement positive, impactful methodologies for societal change.

Williams is also the co-founder and managing director of the nationally distributed EndZone Luncheon Series and a visiting lecturer/contributor to his law school alma mater. He is a member of the Executive Committee for SJUL’s Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development. His other activities include his work as a member of the Executive Committee for Seton Hall University’s Center for Leadership Development.

Quentin was born on the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and grew up in New York City and Yonkers, New York. He is the proud parent of a wonderfully talented son and an extraordinary daughter – both of whom serve as his inspiration.