A Life of Purpose and Service
On August 13, 1934, Indianapolis was blessed with the birth of Vernice L. Williams—a woman whose life would come to represent resilience, faith, and unwavering service. Raised on the city’s Northwest side, Williams learned strength and sacrifice early, having lost her father at the age of three. She often credited her mother’s example of perseverance and selflessness as the foundation for her own journey.
After graduating from Crispus Attucks High School, she pursued her education at Indiana University. At just 17, she married Andrew Williams, and together they raised six children. Their home was also a hub of activism, with her and Andrew taking turns marching for civil rights and supporting community causes while ensuring their children were cared for. Service wasn’t separate from their family life—it was part of its fabric.
A Trailblazer in the Movement
Williams’s leadership and commitment to justice carried her into the heart of the civil rights movement. She worked with Operation Breadbasket and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and in 1969, she traveled to Chicago to support the very first Operation PUSH Exposition, led by Rev. Jesse Jackson. These experiences deepened her resolve to ensure that Black excellence in business, education, and leadership was celebrated and advanced.
A Legacy of Excellence in Indianapolis
For over 50 years, Williams devoted her time, talents, and wisdom to organizations across Indianapolis. She was a fixture at the Indiana Black Expo and a trusted supporter of the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, where her presence and encouragement inspired generations. In 2005, her decades of service were recognized nationally when she became the first Hoosier to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award—a testament to the extraordinary impact she made on countless lives.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Her influence extends far beyond her lifetime through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, including community leaders like Bishop Crystal Thomas-Bush and Bishop Andrea J. Williams. But her family tree also includes the many young people, neighbors, and colleagues who looked to her as an example of faith in action and service with purpose.
She often reminded us:
“I think every generation ought to be better than the one that came before it. They have more; they should do more.”
Her words remain a charge to all of us at The 100—to keep striving, keep building, and keep believing in the potential of our youth.
Carrying Her Torch Forward
At The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, we honor Mrs. Vernice L. Williams not only for her decades of service, but for the way she lived: with humility, courage, and love for her community. Her life reminds us that excellence is not a destination, but a commitment we carry forward each day.
Her legacy will continue to guide us as we invest in the next generation of leaders—just as she always did.