Uncrowned Community Builders

The best queens are servants of the people, who work hard while they inspire those around them. By this definition, DWe Williams is a royal indeed.

Ms. DWe Williams was born in Durham, North Carolina but has called Oklahoma home for more than 25 years, and put down deep roots here. She has always had a story to tell so it is no surprise that she is a professional storyteller known as the ââ?¬Å?Story Queenââ?¬ or Ms. DWe, the story lady. She is a vibrant educational, cultural teller and a creative force to be reckoned with.

Ms. DWe holds a BS Degree in Speech and Theatre Education from North Carolina A&T State University and a Masterââ?¬â?¢s Degree from South Illinois University, Carbondale.

Williams received the Five Who Care Award and the Jefferson Award for community service in 1994. She was recognized with the Celebration of Creative Families award in 1994 and Distinguished Achiever Award in 1999. Williams has served on the Oklahoma County Foster Care Review Board, Developmental Disabilities Council, as a North American Council on Adoptable Children State Representative and as a foster parent. She has been a workshop presenter and speaker for adoption conferences and many educational venues.

Ms. DWe is an artist in residence with the state of Oklahoma and is the lead mentoring teaching artist for Special Population with the Oklahoma City Arts Council. Ms. DWe is the producing director for Rhythmically Speaking. Rhythmically Speaking produces educational cultural theatre for young audiences and families. This troupe combines music, drama and story telling to enrich the spirit and enhance the mind and imagination of the audience. Through the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library System thousands of children are reached yearly with her storytelling. Her memorable stories entertain, embrace and teach. She has a way of tellinââ?¬â?¢ and singinââ?¬â?¢ her way into the memory of her audiences. Ms. DWe has had a tremendous impact on the way storytelling and creative drama can be used in the learning process.

In the adoption arena Ms. DWe is known for her advocacy work on behalf of children with special needs. Her work with teachers and special needs students in the classroom is exceptional. Intergenerational and integrated abilities grouping provide Williams with some of her most rewarding work. These groups allow Ms. DWe to teach acceptance while enhancing the use of the arts in the learning process. Ms. DWe encourages adults and teachers to accept where students are and to go from there. ââ?¬Å?You donââ?¬â?¢t change who people are; they change themselves because they can.ââ?¬

Ms. DWe is a full-time single adoptive mother of Pam, LaShawn, Jasmine, Jamila, John Marcus and Jordan. Her son, James passed in 2000, but his spirit, along withal of her children and grandchildren, continues to be a source of daily inspiration.

Williamsââ?¬â?¢s first childrenââ?¬â?¢s book, Bridget ââ?¬Å?Biddyââ?¬ Mason A Walking Sensation, will be available in August of 2006.