Cecil J. Williams is a son of South Carolina whose life has been shaped by light—light caught through a lens, light discovered in truth, and light shared with the world. Born in Orangeburg, he came of age in a time when courage was both a necessity and a calling. With a camera slung over his shoulder, he walked into history—not merely as observer, but as witness, participant, and keeper of memory.
At just eighteen, Williams photographed for JET magazine, chronicling the Civil Rights Movement at a moment when the nation struggled to see clearly. His images—quiet, unguarded, and unflinching—revealed the humanity of those who dared to stand, sit-in, march, and hope. He photographed Claflin’s students marching for freedom and justice.
Over the decades, his camera has captured some of the most transformative figures of our time, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Barack Obama, and countless other leaders whose presence shaped the course of American history. His images—quiet, unguarded, and unflinching—revealed the humanity of those who dared to stand, sit-in, march, and hope.
His journey was not always safe. Williams was arrested twice while covering demonstrations and mass meetings—penalties not for wrongdoing, but for bearing witness. Yet he did not retreat. He also engaged in acts of deliberate, peaceful defiance. In one now-iconic moment, he himself became the symbol, boldly drinking from a “Jim Crow” water fountain—quietly challenging unjust racism. The photograph, stark and unapologetic, has since been recognized for its historic force, often compared in symbolic power to the era’s most enduring civil-rights imagery, including Norman Rockwell’s portrayal of moral courage of Ruby Bridges integrating a school.
In 2015, Williams developed the FilmToaster, a breakthrough film digitization device now used by historians, archivists, and photographers to preserve images with exceptional clarity and fidelity. His work extends beyond documenting history; he has empowered others to preserve their own.
Over the decades, his contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Governor’s Verner Award in the Arts, the Order of the Palmetto—South Carolina’s highest civilian honor—two previous honorary degrees, and a wide range of national, state, and local awards acknowledging his cultural and historical impact.
He is married to Barbara J. Williams, his steadfast partner in life, work, and purpose. At St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Williams serves as an Elder, reflecting a lifelong commitment to faith, community, and compassionate service.
A graduate of Claflin University, Williams has remained deeply connected to the institution that nurtured his artistic purpose. Now, as founder of the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum, he continues to build sanctuaries of memories.
Through his photography, writing, innovation, and museum leadership, Williams has ensured that the stories of courage and change in South Carolina remain visible, preserved, and alive for generations to come.