Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Jamal J. Williams

Jamal J. Williams

Summary

Strategic leader with proven success advising senior leadership, driving enterprise initiatives, and aligning public and private stakeholders to achieve measurable outcomes. Experienced in government relations, policy navigation, and organizational leadership. Recognized for advancing economic mobility programs, launching small business incubators, and directing multi-million-dollar grant portfolios that strengthen long-term organizational impact and innovation.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Grant Compliance Coordinator

City Of Little Rock
10.2024 - Current
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to city leadership, providing analysis and recommendations that inform executive decision-making across public safety, housing, opioid response, and workforce development initiatives.
  • Deliver executive-level budget analysis and strategic recommendations to city leadership, aligning DOJ JAG investments with public safety priorities, community outcomes, and federal compliance requirements.
  • Spearhead economic mobility initiatives, expanding small business participation and entrepreneurship through incubator programs including BUILD Academy, Emprende, and BUILD Up.
  • Lead cross-functional enterprise projects spanning law enforcement, public health, housing, and workforce systems, aligning federal and local priorities to maximize community outcomes.
  • Represent city leadership in high-visibility forums with federal agencies, business leaders, and community stakeholders, strengthening partnerships and securing sustained investment.
  • Develop and monitor performance benchmarks and executive reporting systems, driving accountability, transparency, and measurable results across city programs.
  • Build organizational capacity by training staff and sub recipients in fiscal oversight, compliance, and grant strategy to ensure long-term sustainability and reduced audit risk.

Executive Officer

Office Of Arkansas Drug Director
01.2023 - 10.2024
  • Advised state leadership on strategic deployment of opioid response initiatives, aligning resources and policy priorities with statewide public health and safety objectives.
  • Directed the statewide distribution strategy for 60,000+ overdose rescue kits, achieving 90% saturation within six months and positioning Arkansas as a national model for rapid public health intervention.
  • Co-led design and launch of Called2Duty, a statewide campaign addressing opioid dependency among service members, veterans, and their families — reaching 10,500 individuals through coordinated education and training initiatives.
  • Oversaw statewide implementation of Arkansas Act 811, driving compliance across 37 public colleges and universities in under 9 months, and earning gubernatorial recognition for executive-level leadership in policy execution.
  • Collaborated on multi-sector stakeholders in designing a unified intelligence platform for overdose response, transforming fragmented data streams into actionable insights for public health and safety leaders.
  • Influenced the modernization of STARBASE Arkansas curricula, embedding substance use prevention strategies within STEM education to strengthen long-term community resilience in underserved regions.

Project Director

Arkansas Department Of Human Services
12.2020 - 01.2023
  • Advised the State Drug Director and senior leadership on strategic deployment of FR-CARA funding, aligning organizational objectives with long-term state policy priorities.
  • Directed statewide Naloxone distribution and training strategy across 55 counties, ensuring first responders, treatment providers, and recovery networks had equitable access to life-saving resources.
  • Championed innovation by leading development of the NARCANsas mobile app, providing on-demand training and services, credited with 2,300+ overdose reversals reported statewide.
  • Advanced corporate social responsibility initiatives (Don’t Run, Call 911, Good Samaritan Law, Drug Take Back, RAAD) by engaging state representatives and community leaders, strengthening alignment between state policy and community needs.
  • Collected and analyzed data to identify states rural community needs prior to program implementation. Conducted community outreach to promote different programs and educate public on available services.
  • Administer and maintain contracts that track the overall budget of the grant following state and federal guidelines. Facilitate project reporting to federal partner, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
  • Established enterprise-level compliance and reporting systems, positioning the state as a national model for transparency and accountability in FR-CARA administration.

AmeriCorps Outreach and Communications Officer

Arkansas Department Of Higher Education
03.2018 - 11.2020
  • Directed statewide rebranding of the Arkansas Service Commission, implementing new policies, procedures, and communication frameworks to strengthen organizational identity and alignment with state priorities.
  • Developed and executed integrated communications strategies (press, web, social, email, publications) that increased brand visibility, volunteer engagement, and stakeholder trust.
  • Streamlined internal communications systems, enhancing cross-department collaboration, information flow, and volunteer coordination across the state.
  • Advised and collaborated with the Governor’s Advisory Commission on National Service and Volunteerism, expanding the reach and strategic impact of AmeriCorps programs.
  • Led high-visibility statewide recognition initiatives (Community of the Year Awards, Arkansas Annual Community Service Awards), elevating public awareness and strengthening stakeholder partnerships.
  • Implemented targeted digital campaigns that improved volunteer retention, grew stakeholder networks, and increased program participation statewide.
  • Coordinated and guided cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and advancing service initiatives across education, nonprofit, and government partners.

Digital Media Specialist

Arkansas Department Of Human Services
06.2016 - 03.2018
  • Directed strategic communications initiatives for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, ensuring alignment with federal and state regulatory standards.
  • Designed and implemented the statewide Creative Service Request platform, streamlining access to digital and print media services for departments and programs across Arkansas.
  • Elevated brand visibility and stakeholder engagement by delivering integrated digital campaigns that increased audience engagement by 327% over two years.
  • Established communication policies and procedures to strengthen compliance, improve consistency, and enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Developed targeted digital campaigns that improved open and click-through rates, driving increased demand for DHS creative services and expanding program reach statewide.

Outreach Coordinator

Arkansas Department Of Human Services
12.2013 - 06.2016
  • Forged strategic partnerships with stakeholders, strengthening the agency’s statewide presence and driving a 113% increase in volunteer recruitment and engagement.
  • Provided executive insight on outreach performance, monitoring progress toward strategic goals and implementing course corrections to ensure long-term success of initiatives.
  • Expanded access to essential services for underserved communities by aligning agency resources with partner organizations to close equity gaps.
  • Directed high-visibility awareness campaigns that elevated public recognition of agency services and reinforced organizational credibility.
  • Oversaw integrated marketing and public relations strategies, enhancing brand visibility and strengthening stakeholder trust.
  • Delivered results against quarterly growth priorities through strong leadership, data-driven analysis, problem-solving, and team development.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Computer Graphics And Interactive Media

University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
04.2008

Skills

  • Strategic Planning and Execution
  • Executive Communications and Briefings
  • Government Relations & Policy Navigation
  • Cross-Sector Partnerships
  • Partnership Development
  • Grant Management
  • Marketing Communications
  • External Representation & Advocacy
  • Data-Driven Decision Making & Analytics
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building
  • Change Management
  • Compliance Strategy

Accomplishments

  • Appointed to the Arkansas Municipal League’s Advisory Council for Public Safety (2025–2026), providing executive-level guidance on statewide policy priorities and public safety strategies.
  • Instrumental in advancing Arkansas Act 811, collaborating with the Office of the Drug Director to secure passage of legislation requiring public high schools and higher education institutions to implement statewide on-campus Naloxone access and training.
  • Designed and launched the Creative Service Request platform at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, creating a statewide system that streamlined access to digital and print media services and strengthened organizational efficiency.
  • Forged partnerships across law enforcement, public health, housing, and workforce agencies, leading cross-functional initiatives that advanced diversion strategies, community safety, and equitable outcomes.
  • Recognized for national service through AmeriCorps VISTA, building leadership experience in program development, community engagement, and capacity building.

Timeline

Grant Compliance Coordinator

City Of Little Rock
10.2024 - Current

Executive Officer

Office Of Arkansas Drug Director
01.2023 - 10.2024

Project Director

Arkansas Department Of Human Services
12.2020 - 01.2023

AmeriCorps Outreach and Communications Officer

Arkansas Department Of Higher Education
03.2018 - 11.2020

Digital Media Specialist

Arkansas Department Of Human Services
06.2016 - 03.2018

Outreach Coordinator

Arkansas Department Of Human Services
12.2013 - 06.2016

Bachelor of Science - Computer Graphics And Interactive Media

University of Dubuque
Jamal J. Williams