Greenburgh, NY — Dr. William L. Carter, Commissioner of the Theodore Young Community Center (Department of Community Resources) since 2008, has passed away, Friday after a battle with cancer… This is where the news brief style post, you might read in a media outlets obit section ends and a tribute to Bill Carter begin.
I personally only met Bill at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination meeting (CERD) on Race & the U.S. Criminal Justice System & Human Rights, two years ago, when I attended for the first time with BW Publisher, Damon K. Jones and Mount Vernon Councilman J. Yuhanna Edwards where I took the above picture. But one didn’t have to know Bill long to love him, to know he was full of life…
Because I didn’t know him long and didn’t want to just copy and paste some words from other websites, but wanted to properly pay tribute, I reached out to a few people who knew him better, like Damon, Yuhanna, to allow them to say a few words about this great man. All the words, in all the world, on all the websites, that may mention his name could not begin to explain what Bill meant to those who knew him, those whose lives he touch and to the community. Facebook was full love expressed by those who knew him. While even as I write these words…
“Brother Bill has always been a giant in the Greenburgh White plains community and has an example of black manhood for our young men in Westchester County. It was an honor to be on the same panel with him at the United Nations, he is a leader that will surely be missed for the fight of freedom, justice and equality for our people.” – BW Publisher Damon K. Jones
“The town of Greenburgh is in mourning. And flags will be placed at half-staff,” Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner tells BW. “Bill always made everyone smile and laugh. He had a great personality. He made people feel good about themselves when he talked to them. But, he also made people smile because he improved the quality of life for many. The Jazz concert series (which was re-named in his honor shortly before his most recent hospitalization) brought to the town the highest quality musicians each summer. Bill helped young people find employment and the programs he promoted improved the quality of life for lower-income residents. He also enhanced programs –encouraging people from the entire town to benefit from the Community Center programs. Indoor swimming, academic enrichment, arts and crafts, dance, music, technology, outdoor play, senior citizen programs, encouraging students to attend college all were priorities of Bill.”
“He was the Epitome of who We as Omega Men are. He exuded it in every step he took as an Omega Man. “Manhood”, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. He will truly be my missed, but never forgotten.” J. Yuhanna Edwards – Mt. Vernon City Councilman
“When in his presence, Bill Carter was sure to put a smile on your face. His larger-than-life spirit changed the dynamics in any room he entered. He was a true leader in Greenburgh. He loved the community, the children, the seniors. What an honor to pass on Dr Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday. This speak volumes to the type of servant leader Bill Carter was. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful human being.” – Tahira DuPree Chase, Greenburgh Central School District Superintendent
“A soulful spirit and a gracious man. A mentor, a friend, a soldier, a force. We’ll miss you “Big Dog” – Jerry Franklin Jr. [Facebook]
“Precious memories oh how they linger! We will miss my fraternity Brother Bill Carter. He lived a full life while serving others. We sorrow now, joy will come in the morning.” – Frank Williams, Director of YMCA at White Plains [Facebook]
“Bill Carter was a man with a big heart, who was always there to help someone in need. He loved people. I will never forget how his laughter could light up a room with joy. Indeed, his laughter was contagious. We will miss him.” – Nadine Hunt-Robinson, White Plains Councilwoman
“I am so sad to hear about this mans passing. He was an incredible advocate and activist for justice. I remember that he attended the very first AntiRacist Alliance meeting that we held in Westchester. Remembering him with respect.” Sandy Bernabei – AntiRacist Alliance
“I have had the pleasure of working for Dr Bill Carter as well as working alongside Mr Boston Keith. I have also had the pleasure of working with Mrs Roxie. Growing up in Greenburgh in a town this size you become family with everyone I thank you all three of you for blessing me so much in my life and for being pillars in the community praise in peace you have fulfilled God’s assignment. Thank you so much.” – Belle Allen [Facebook]
“Big Bill was an Advocate, a Confidant, a towering Voice, a supporter where ever I’ve been; Port Chester Carver Cente, Open Arms Mens Shelter, Mount Vernon YMCA and most recently, the Y-COP program of Mount Vernon. Most importantly he was a true friend. The County has lost a REAL GENTLE-MAN.” – Henry Happ Wilson [Facebook]
“A bright light has gone out. We will all miss him.” – Cora Greenberg, Former Associate Executive Director at Project Reach Youth
“I was deeply saddened by the news of Brother Bill Carter’s passing. I have known Bill for years and we would have many conversations on leadership, what it takes to effectively lead and the needs of the people. As I think of some of the conversations we would have I am smiling because anyone that knew Bill knows that he would tell you what you needed to hear not what you wanted to hear and was always someone you could count on for support. I want to take this time to extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family and although his work on this earth is done his model of leadership in our lives is not. May his soul find rest and perfect peace….” Kenneth Chamberlain, Jr.
Bill is well-known and respected in the community. Prior to his service has Commissioner for the town, he was well-known county-wide as an advocate for our youth. He coordinated county funded youth initiative programming. He had been responsible for insuring contract compliance of youth services providers contracted by the county and facilitates all aspects associated with resource allocation of over 8 million dollars in youth development funding.
Bill has also worked with the Educational Opportunity Center of Westchester and with the White Plains Youth Bureau. He currently teaches at Westchester Community College (Adjunct Professor) and worked at Hawthorne Cedar Knolls School and Family Service of Westchester.
Bill had outstanding education credentials. He received his MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work and was the recipient of the Eveline Burns Scholar in Social Policy Fellowship. He graduated from Dominican College of Blauvelt (Summa Cum Laude), with a BS in Social Work. He had been invited to give presentations to colleges, educators around New York State and St. Lucia.
He was active in African-American Men of Westchester and hosted the annual Martin Luther King, Jr breakfast. He received his license from the State Education Department as a HIV Test Counselor.
Our town won’t be the same without Bill. He will be missed by those who knew him and who benefitted by his leadership and friendship. He will continue to inspire…. – Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor
While there were so many more people we could have talked to, who would have loved to express their love and respect for Dr. Bill Carter, I think you get the idea. My mother always used to say give me my flowers while I am alive, and I am ever so thankful I was able to before she passed. I say that to say, I am sadden we didn’t have a chance to do so for Bill. But while we didn’t get a chance to do a community spotlight piece with all his accomplishments, we would like to take this time and pay our tribute and honor him now.
Dr. William L. Carter, Black Westchester salutes you and thank you for all your work and what you’ve done for the community. As was mentioned many times above, you may be gone, but will never be forgotten. BW is proud to say your name and keep it alive. God has seen fit to bring you home, while I’m sure you may have felt in the end you had more work today, I can picture God smiling at you saying WELL DONE MY FAITHFUL SERVANT, WELL DONE! Rest-In-Peace my brother. May we all continue the work you started.
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
