Joanne Williams

Joanne Williams exemplifies the values of broadcasting through her dedication to public service both on the air and in the community.

Born and educated in Milwaukee, Williams started broadcasting in high school hosting a talk show to give voice to teenagers. She started her professional career at WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee as a film editor but was soon put on the air for the first early morning newscast in the city. In 1976, she became a writer and producer at WGN-TV in Chicago and again was put back on the air as a reporter and part-time weather forecaster.

In 1978, she returned to Milwaukee and joined WITI-TV as the community relations director where she developed projects highlighting people with disabilities and a special program to increase reading proficiency among elementary and middle school students. She remained in Milwaukee the rest of her career, inspired to cover the stories about her neighbors in southeast Wisconsin.

Williams helped create the Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and later served on the national board. In 2012, she joined Milwaukee Public Television as the host and producer of Black Nouveau.

Williams’ more than 45 years in broadcasting has won her accolades and the respect of her fellow broadcasters and the members of the community she has dedicated herself to serving.