Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Williams.
Hi Zack, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always questioned everything, even as a child. I grew up as a preacher’s kid…and that alone makes me part of a very interesting fraternity of people. (Only another PK will understand this.)This personality trait is somewhat a blessing and a curse. As a high school student I had a passion for really unpacking certain subjects such as religion, sociology history, politics..pretty much anything that required complex thought I was a fan. I kept this same eagerness to learn throughout college and graduate school. I started the Liaison Initiative as a means to engage government agencies, educational institutions, corporations, and faith based organizations on the ideas and ideals of diversity, leadership, the importance of mental health, and community engagement. One way we do this is by hosting insightful dialogue about complex issues via our “Conversations We Need to Have” platform.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can’t say the road has been smooth; but it has not been a struggle… I think I would say it has been “challenging”. But in order for anything meaningful for transformational to take place, there must be opposition. This opposition will either break us or make us.
I do believe in the idea of and importance of having a circle of people who help them navigate these challenges. For me, my parents, and mentors provide me with wise counsel on certain things that I may need advice one. I am fortunate to have ambitions and passions. Having people who are full of wisdom in close proximity is something I do not take for granted.
The other challenge is, that sometimes the subject matters I have to address can lead to tense exchanges with guests, social media followers, and even family, and friends. The biggest challenge is staying consistent when being perceived as the “antagonist”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Liaison Initiative, Inc.?
The Liaison Initiative was actually started as a vision to assist local law enforcement agencies with addressing crime rates, implicit biases, and the trauma surrounding economic conditions in impoverished communities. After several meetings and doing the work, other organizations and agencies started reaching out to have us come in and we have been going every sense. We are now training and hosting events locally and nationally… mainly in areas of leadership diversity, and community engagement. TLI is structured and designed to educate, empower, and enlighten on issues of race, mental health, and community outreach. We are known for having a direct, transparent, and balanced approach in addressing the complex issues centered around the intersectionality of leadership, race, and diversity. We specialize in diversity training and assisting all kinds of agencies with learning how to embrace and use differences as a tool to maximize the success of their team both individually and collectively.
The Liaison Initiative stands out from other companies because we tailor our sessions and development the training to the specific needs of the individual and entity. It is not a “cookie-cutter” approach. We also partner with professional and highly credentialed professionals who are experts in their respective fields. I am most proud of the work we have done in the areas of leadership. Seeing people learn to embrace what they don’t necessarily agree with is a very fulfilling and daunting reality. I am also proud of the work we are doing with our platform, “Conversations We Need to Have”. We use this platform to drive the work we do at The Liaison Initiative.
I would love for our readers to reach out to us if they are interested in understanding more about community engagement, developing leadership skills, and community engagement. They can also visit our website at https://www.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think if a person is at peace and centered in who they are… they are successful. I have seen wealthy people who are tormented because their material gains cannot quench the insatiable desire to simply get a good night’s sleep. The ability to be a father to my son is and always will be something I consider to be my greatest measure of success. Tony Hsieh made a very good point when he talked about success, he said “Stop chasing the money and start chasing the passion.” This is important because as it relates to tangible and measurable success, it can be said that a successful person in business is one who can profit from their passion.
Contact Info:
- Email: theliaisonint@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.theliaisoninitiative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversationsweneedtohave/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conversationsweneedtohave/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Convers54430789
Image Credit: Nick Farley (Mindblown Creations)
Image Credits
Anthony Brown
