One word to describe Lawndale resident Sabrina Williams is simply “inspiring.”
When Williams was 10 years old in 1979, she moved to Lawndale from the Inglewood area. She attended and graduated from Manley High School in 1987 and attended Kennedy King College and Truman College. Williams experienced her share of trials and tribulations after suffering the lost of her husband in 2008 and surviving a stroke in the summer of 2012, she continues to move forward in helping and volunteering to make education a priority for youth today.
Her children, Shakena Williams, 19, Shakyra Crafton, 18, and twins Desmond and Darious Crafton, 16, were each involved in the America SCORES program at Chalmers Elementary, 2745 W. Roosevelt Rd. This was the first African American school to feature the program from 2001-2010.
“Scores was the inspiration,” says Williams, who was part of the program from 2001- 2011. “As time passed on, I became a part of the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) as chair for 13 years and became a local school council member from 1998- 2010.”
Recently, Sabrina was awarded the title Be A Hero from the Dollar General Corporation. The title is awarded yearly to those who have made a positive impact in their community.
“When I heard the news I couldn’t believe it ,” she said. “They released the ad for it last week and my friends would call me and be like I just saw you on television.”
Williams recently volunteers and serves on the board at the women’s shelter located at the Hope House Church, 3551 W. Roosevelt Rd. She serves alongside Lincoln Scott and Clarine Scott, who have owned the Hope House for over 56 years.
Although she hasn’t completed her degree, Williams has been an inspiration to those who have come to know her. She plans to return to school to get her degree in social work, preferably working with teen moms who are going or trying to get back into school. Other plans in the future include opening up an apparel store for young people.
“Since 1990, I came to the church helping people because my mother and father were humanitarians,” said Williams. “My mother would sell dinners and my father was a landscaper. He always told me if you can’t find a job, you make a job.”
Williams gives thanks to those who provided positive energy and inspiration in her life, including God.
“When my husband died I felt alone. I am still able to keep my house and send my kids through college. Thanks to my mother and father, Mr. and Ms. Scott, my God mother Johnnie May Smith, and Essie Edmond and Lucille Jones, who were my mentors when my mother passed, and of course to my boys at Chalmers.”
As she prepare for what’s ahead in the future, Williams is grateful to see that all her hard work is paying off.
“It feels good to be appreciated and to have an impact. Me surviving last year is God’s way of saying that my job here is not done yet,” said Williams.
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Sabrina Williams’ name.
