Dr. Clarissa Williams

Dr. Clarissa Williams is founder of the Brown Sugar and Lace Elder Honor and Support Community and Sponsor of NDOWE Scholarships in Springfield, Illinois. She is a published author and performing artist who works as a soloist, worshipper and historical reenactor. Dr. Clarissa's published works include one children's book, Mommy, Teach Me to Pray, and one work of mature non-fiction, From Idolatry to the Heart of Worship.

Dr. Clarissa was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, a midsized midwestern town that rose to national prominence in the late 1800's as the residence of Abraham Lincoln, who would become the 16th President of the United States, and again as the locale of the 1908 race riot which gave rise to the creation of the NAACP. Against this historic backdrop, Williams grew up with a strong faith nurtured by her family church and an equally powerful sense of community.

Williams attended public schools in the city and went on to graduate from Anderson University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983. She attended Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Policy and earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1987. She attended Howard University School of Divinity in 2015 where she earned a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis in biblical studies, and she attended Temple University where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2002.

In most of her texts, Williams explores the themes of faith, community, worship and identity. Her first self-published work, From Idolatry to the Heart of Worship, is addressed to the committed Christian and unpacks worship from a scriptural basis within a 21st century context. The text has a companion workbook that walks the reader step by step through each chapter, taking an in-depth look into each dedicated subject and providing learner questions and prompts. Williams' second published work, Mommy, Teach Me to Pray, treats themes of faith and the spiritual discipline of prayer through the eyes of a child. Williams has also written a five-volume children's book series that celebrates and explores cultural identity, connection of people groups throughout the US and African Diaspora and the enduring and vital theme of community. She has also written a children's book introducing children to peers with disabilities.

Williams has long supported education and empowerment through theater.

“I draw from a rich narrative stream of African American women of faith, and resilience; who precede me. I too am a tributary to that stream. I honor their voices, their strength, their struggle, their creativity and brilliance through historical reenactments.”

Dr. Clarissa's repertoire spotlights prominent figures from the African American historical canon, including Mrs. Eva Carroll Monroe, Founder of Illinois' first orphanage for African American children and home for African American elderly. And, Mariah Vance, trusted maid and confidante to President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, and their son, Robert. Vance was also a minister who founded three Illinois churches: Zion Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois and Allen Chapel and Second Baptist Church (formerly New Jerusalem) in Danville, Illinois. Upcoming Reenactments include Elizabeth Keckley, activist and celebrated seamstress who became a close confidante to Mary Todd Lincoln during the White House years and Mary Parsons Waters, founder of Capital City Church of God, Dr. Clarissa's childhood church.