A native of Chicago and graduate of Temple University, Jesse Williams began his career teaching at low-income Philadelphia public charter schools. After moving to New York City, he later began his professional acting career. Williams stars in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and has served as senior producer and correspondent for EPIX docuseries America Divided with Norman Lear .
He also executive produced the documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement . His feature credits include The Butler, Brooklyn’s Finest, and They Die By Dawn .

Williams founded farWord Inc., a production company, and executive produced Question Bridge: Black Males, a series of transmedia art installations, films, curriculum, and website. The exhibition is on display at museums such as the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture. Williams hosts a podcast, Open Run, through a partnership with LeBron James’ digital network, Uninterrupted. He is a board member, brand ambassador, and partner in the company Scholly. Williams, his wife, Aryn Drake Lee-Williams, and Glenn Kaino, also launched Ebroji, the first curated GIF keyboard designed specifically to enhance the way we already communicate. Williams gained international attention while accepting the 2016 BET Humanitarian Award. He sits on the Board of Directors of Advancement Project and Sankofa.org.