HERO: Matthew Williams, Community Organizer
NOMINATED BY: Jessica Feehan, AAA Auto Club
Matthew is an inspirational community leader who devotes countless unpaid hours to organizing and leading the movement for racial equality in his community. I have known him for nearly 20 years, and he has handled being the target of racial injustice on numerous occasions with grace, dignity, and action. He is upbeat, optimistic, and always gets back up when he's been knocked down.
Professionally, he's an entertainer who spreads joy by using his boundless and infectious energy to create special and memorable moments at events from Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to weddings. He's created jobs by recruiting employees from our home town (Amityville, New York) and pays forward every kindness he receives. He's a wonderful person and a true leader in every way, and he was the very first person who sprang to mind when I saw the opportunity to nominate someone for this incredible trip.