Uncrowned Community Builders

Stephanie Lynn Williams Cowart was born in Niagara Falls, New York. She is the seventh of nine children born to Ada and James Williams.

She attended Niagara Falls public schools including Beech Avenue, North Junior, and Niagara Falls High School. Upon graduation, she continued her education at Niagara University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce Management, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, and a Master's degree in Business Administration. She also is a Certified Public Housing Manager and graduate of Leadership Niagara. In addition, she is pursuing a Certification in Executive Director Leadership.

Ms. Cowart is Executive Director for the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, having been employed there for seventeen years.

An active member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, she serves as Choir Director, Trustee, President of the James L. Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee, and Advisor for the Junior Ushers Youth Group. She actively promotes, organizes, and participates in Women Fellowship Programs/Activities and is a member of various other ad hoc committees. Stephanie is a founding member of the Niagara Falls Music Workshop Choir.

She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Niagara Falls Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.Other professional affiliations include: Member of Fleet Advisory Board; Member of the Task Force on the Status of Women in Niagara County; Trustee, Niagara Educational Foundation; Niagara Falls Board of Education School to Work Preparation Committee; Niagara Falls High School Diversity Implementation Team; Niagara County Community College Business Advisory Committee; Public Housing Authorities Director's Association Scholarship and Professional Development Committees; Central New York Housing Authorities; National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials; the Center for the Stabilization of the Black Family; and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Ms. Cowart is the recipient of numerous awards including the Niagara County Black Achiever's Candle in the Dark Award, Niagara Improvement Association Civic Award, Niagara University Fellowship Award, Niagara Falls Housing Authority Award of Excellence, Business First's prestigious Forty Under 40 award, Niagara County's Woman of the Year Award, and Heroes of Public Housing Award. She also is listed in Who's Who of Professionals.

Ms. Cowart currently resides in Grand Island with her husband and two children.