As we recap the achievements of Illinois REALTORS® during 2017, today’s flashback story is about Chicago-area REALTOR® Frank Williams, a pioneer in the fair housing movement in Chicago.

In March, Williams received Gale Cincotta Community Visionary Award from the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Chicago, Inc., and in October, he was inducted into the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Hall of Fame.

The NHS gives the Cincotta Community Visionary Award to leaders who help make their communities better places to work and live. Williams has earned a reputation for encouraging fair housing legislation in Illinois during the last 20 years, reports the NHS. As early as the 1970s, he fought for African Americans to live in white-dominated neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago. During this time, his own home was bombed.

Williams also served as president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® from 1989 to 1990, and he fought for fair housing and diversity.  In 1991, he received the Illinois REALTORS®’ first Distinguished Member Award for Community Service.  In 1992, he was CAR’s REALTOR® of the Year.  He helped create a $25,000 scholarship for minority students to pursue real estate careers.  Former Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley appointed Williams to serve on the Affordable Housing Task Force and the Real Estate Services Advisory Council

From 1979 to 1985, he was president of the Southside Chicago branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  He helped create a housing discrimination monitoring program, and he campaigned for minority hiring in the real estate industry.

Williams is the founder of FJ Williams Realty in Evergreen Park.

(This is the fourth in a series of blog posts about Illinois REALTORS® who were recognized for their achievements in 2017. Watch this blog daily through the end of the year for more success stories.)