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David Earl Williams III’s journey from a decorated U.S. Navy veteran to a passionate advocate for progressive ideals and community welfare is nothing short of inspirational. This is the story of a man who has devoted his life to service, and whose mission is to make a lasting impact on the world, one step at a time.
A Proud Beginning
David Earl Williams III was born on January 8, 1984, in Evanston, Illinois, but his early years were spent in the vibrant neighborhoods of Rogers Park and Uptown, located on Chicago’s North Side. Growing up with his mother and two sisters, along with an older brother, David’s childhood was enriched by the diversity of his family’s heritage. With a mixed ancestry of Black, Irish, Native American, French, German, British, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Southeast Asian roots, he learned the value of embracing different cultures and backgrounds.
The Educational Foundation
David’s educational journey began at Joseph Brennemann Elementary School (1990-1995) and continued at Louis B. Nettlehorst Elementary (1996-1998). His formative years culminated at Nicholas Senn High School (1999-2002). During his time at Senn High School, David displayed his academic prowess as a member of the Academic Decathlon team from 2000 to 2001. He contributed to the team’s advancement to the regional competition, a milestone for the school. He graduated from Senn High School in 2002 with the distinction of being on the Honor Roll.
A Call to Serve
Right after high school, David chose a path of service and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. For the first two years, he served as a Deck Seaman during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His dedication and hard work earned him several commendations during this period. However, it was during his remaining time in the Navy, where he assumed the role of a Logistics Specialist, that his responsibilities truly stood out. Managing over $2 billion worth of aviation equipment and supervising a team of more than 25 personnel, he showcased his leadership and organizational skills. His duty station in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan, onboard the U.S.S. Cowpens (CG-63), allowed him to travel extensively across Asia and the Australian continent, as well as the Middle East. In recognition of his exceptional service, David was decorated eight times before receiving an Honorable Discharge in mid-2006.
Education and Advocacy
After his military service, David’s journey led him to Canada, where he pursued studies at Lethbridge College in Lethbridge, Alberta. There, he engaged in courses in General Studies and Criminal Justice. The year 2008 saw David supporting and voting for Barack Obama during the U.S. Presidential election via an absentee ballot.
In 2010, David returned to the United States, settling in Evanston, Illinois. His dedication to civic and social causes led him to join the Chicago chapter of WeAreChange from 2011 to 2014, a nationwide political activism group. During this period, he actively protested corporatism and participated in various anti-war demonstrations against the U.S.’s involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A Political Journey
David’s commitment to effecting change at a local level led him to enter the political arena. In 2014, he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois’ 9th District as a Republican candidate. Though he lost the primary, it was a significant step toward his mission of advocacy.
In 2018, he announced his candidacy for Alderman in Chicago’s 48th Ward as an Independent. During the 2019 Chicago Municipal election, David received 16.25% of the vote, proving his appeal as a candidate.
In the summer of 2022, David took another step in his political journey by announcing his candidacy for Chicago’s 24th police district council as a progressive Democrat, despite it being a non-partisan race. His efforts resulted in a fifth-place finish out of seven candidates, garnering 13% of the vote.
A Multifaceted Advocate
Many who know David personally describe him as a “Renaissance man.” Beyond his political endeavors, he has pursued a range of interests and activities, which reflect his dedication to various causes.
– Model and Promoter: David has been a male model and promoter for Urban Offering clothing and Pink Avenue Models.
– Film and Music: He even made appearances in a music video titled “Desert Spring Rose: Film Noir Vignette,” directed by Scott Feigen.
– Volunteer and Activist: David has been deeply involved in volunteer work, participating in disaster relief efforts with Convoy of Hope and crisis intervention initiatives with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). He has also been part of the Pro-Privacy activist organization Restore the Fourth, as well as an animal rights activist working with the Chicago Alliance for Animals to ban horse carriages and replace them with pedicabs.
– Community Engagement: Through the Chicago Missing Persons Guild, he has worked closely with the Chicago Police Department’s Youth Investigation Division to develop more efficient methods of locating missing individuals.
Political Campaigns and Activism
In addition to his own political pursuits, David has actively supported other campaigns, contributing his time and effort to various causes:
– 2015 Chicago Mayoral Campaign: He volunteered for Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s campaign.
– 2019 Chicago Mayoral Campaign: David supported Lori Lightfoot’s mayoral campaign.
– Andre Vasquez’s Aldermanic Campaign: He played a role in the campaign for the 40th ward.
– Illinois for Bernie 2020 Presidential Campaign: As an independent from Vermont, Senator Bernie Sanders received David’s support.
– Biden/Harris 2020: David backed the Biden/Harris presidential campaign.
– Hoan Huynh’s 2022 State Rep Campaign: David actively participated in Hoan Huynh’s campaign in Illinois’ 13th district.
– Joe Dunne’s 2023 48th Ward Aldermanic Campaign: He was involved in Joe Dunne’s campaign.
An Active and Engaged Citizen
In addition to his political and advocacy efforts, David has been an engaged member of various organizations. He has been a Freemason, serving formerly with Evans Lodge 524 (2013-2016), and is currently affiliated with St. James Alpha 1 Lodge. He has provided veteran service outreach with the American Legion of Morton Grove Post 134 (2014-2017) and been part of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1526 (2016-2018). As Co-Chairman of Unite America Chicago’s Chapter (2019-2022), David has furthered his commitment to promoting unity and bipartisanship.
Faith, Writing, and Hobbies
In his personal life, David is a nondenominational Christian. He is also the author of the LitRPG book series titled “VALOR TALE.” His hobbies and interests encompass amateur voice-overs, particularly for the YouTube user Yeti112’s Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid parody series.
