THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
"I'd Rather Have It And Not Need It, Than Need It And Not Have It."
Broadcast journalist Joanne Williams was born on April 10, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Vida and John J. Williams. She received her B.S. degree in radio, television, and film in 1971 from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois. She also attended Marquette University, in Milwaukee.
In high school, Williams hosted the Teen Talk Show on Milwaukee’s WAWA-1890 AM radio station. In 1973, she and Pete Wilson started the TV newscast The Morning Scene on Milwaukee’s WTMJ. In 1976, Williams became a reporter for Chicago’s WGN-TV. In 1978, she became the community relations director at WITI-TV6, in Milwaukee. There, she produced The Disabled Are Able, which was nominated for a daytime Emmy award. Also in 1978, Williams became a regional director and member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). In 1982, Williams became a medical and education reporter and host of call-in programs, town hall meetings, and community events.
In 2008, Williams retired from WITI-TV6, joining Cardinal Stritch University, in Milwaukee, as vice president of marketing and public relations. In 2012, Williams became host and producer of the Milwaukee Public Television show Black Nouveau. She also served as a loaned executive for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. In 2013, she served as a loaned executive for the United Performing Arts Fund. In 2016, Williams wrote, produced, and directed the documentary film The Exchange. In White America. Kaukauna & King 50 Years Later through C-Bird Productions.
Williams has served on the boards of the Ten Chimneys Foundation, the Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation, and Independence First. In 2004, Williams received the Distinguished Service Award from the NABJ. She also was awarded four Salute to Excellence awards from the NABJ: three in 2014 and one in 2016. In 2009, Williams received the Silver Circle Award for 25 years in Television from the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences. She was inducted into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2014, she won the Women of Influence Award for Inspiration from the Milwaukee Business Journal. In 2018, Williams received a Midwest Regional Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Public Affairs/Current Affairs Programming—Program/Special for Crossing the Bridge: A Black Nouveau Special.
Williams resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Joanne Williams was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on January 28, 2022.