Terrie Williams
 In 1988 Terrie Williams launched her public relations and communications agency, which has become one of the country’s most successful public relations firms — handling through the years the biggest names in entertainment, sports, business and politics. Among the many honors and awards given to her, she has received the New York Women in Communications Matrix Award in Public Relations as the first woman of color to receive this award in its 70-year history. And she is the author of four books: “Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting” the business bestseller “The Personal Touch: What You Really Need to Succeed in Today’s Fast-Paced Business World;” the inspirational “A Plentiful Harvest: Creating Balance and Harmony through the Seven Living Virtues;” and “Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens,” which was the basis for the 2001 launch of “The Stay Strong Foundation,” a national non-profit designed to educate and encourage American youth.
What inspired you to create the Stay Strong Foundation?
I love, love, love young people. Young people are a very integral part of my life, everywhere, all the time. I learn from them. They are energetic and fun to be around. They give me so much. I wanted to give them something back. I wanted to give them tools. Give them life lessons, lessons far too many of them may not be getting from home or from school. Kids are floundering because their parents are in pain and unable to parent. Kids are the casualty. We all inherit the pain of our parents. No matter how well intentioned they are. We inherit their rage, their pain. We inherit what is beautiful too, but the pain is what I wanted to pay attention to.
If you believe strongly in something and you want to make a difference, then you put things into action. The foundation naturally followed from what I was already doing anyway.
What is it like to be a woman in a world of sports?
Women in sports are no different from women in the world: Separate and unequal treatment. Are we where we are supposed to be? No. But we’re a lot better off then we were. We have to be better and do more than the men. Is it fair? Fair is for children.
How did you get Eddie Murphy and Miles Davis as your first clients?
You treat everybody the same. You never know what disguise the blessing is coming to you in. With every fiber of your being, if you understand that everybody is somebody, the blessings will come. Miles Davis was a patient at the then NY Hospital where I was working at as a social worker. I heard he was there and visited him. We kept in touch over time, and I met his wife, Cicely Tyson, who invited me to Mile’s birthday party on their yacht. Well, Eddie Murphy was there, and naturally everyone is paying attention to the celebrities. Rather than join the crowd, I established rapport with Eddie’s people. They were somebody too, just no one was paying attention to them. I stayed in touch, sent articles I thought they should read, went on set, to parties. Three times it was casually mentioned to me that Eddie wanted his own PR counsel. I was working at Essence back then. The third time I heard it, I decided to send a letter of interest, to his work and to his home. A few days later, I called to talk to one of Eddie’s guys, (one of the guys I befriended). Eddie was there, and got on the phone. He said he wanted me to do his PR. Three months later the deal was done. I was scared, but to be able to launch a company with the likes of him, that was the sign that I needed to direct my path. I went out on faith, but had a big bold sign from above.
What comforts you the most?
Any body of water instantly transforms my spirit. That and helping people fulfill their purpose.
What are the three things you would not travel without?
1. I have a book I write in, a journal. I write my own thoughts and there are quotes in it from others too. When I find something that I know belongs in my book, I put it there and I am very comforted.
2. A Cocoa Butter stick, like chapstick.
3. Newspapers and magazines. I’m a news junkie and love to read — always getting the local paper where ever I go.
— Tessa Bell
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