Darlene Williams
Biography of Darlene Williams
Darlene Williams is an award-winning businesswoman, adjunct lecturer, bestselling author, and nationally recognized youth and literacy advocate. She serves as President of the acclaimed Black Authors Festival, ranked by USA Today as one of the nation’s top new festivals. Her literary work has been highlighted in the Martha’s Vineyard Times, Martha’s Vineyard Gazette, Newsday, and the Daily News, among others. Under her visionary leadership, the Festival honors distinguished Black authors while championing literacy, free speech, and anti-censorship efforts in marginalized communities. In recognition of its cultural impact, the East Hampton Town Supervisor and Board officially declared August as Black Authors Festival Month.
As a student of Dr. Sebi, Queen Afua, and Dr. Gary Null, Darlene also founded Mama Lean’s Herbal Remedies, a wellness company producing high-quality natural products. Through workshops and personalized consultations, she empowers clients to address the root causes of health concerns with custom herbal formulations—continuing her holistic commitment to community healing and empowerment.
A five-time author and mentor to more than 50 emerging women writers, Darlene is the founder of The Higher Level Method™, a premier personal and professional development firm. She is a certified personal and professional development coach and has produced transformative books and curricula featuring powerhouse contributors across sports, entertainment, and business.
A lifelong Long Island resident and devoted community servant, Darlene has contributed to historic preservation, public health, and civic engagement. She developed youth-centered curricula implemented in New York City juvenile detention facilities and co-leads initiatives advancing literacy equity and juvenile justice reform through her husband’s nonprofit, A Father’s Love™ Personal Development and Community Services. Actively engaged with elected officials, she is helping to draft critical legislation to preserve free expression, protect First Amendment rights, and combat book censorship nationwide.
Darlene holds a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) from Stony Brook University, is a certified life coach (School of Achology, Scotland, UK), and a Harvard-certified rhetorician. Blending academic rigor with real-world impact, she continues to inspire through leadership, advocacy, wellness, and her unwavering commitment to community transformation. She is married to the Executive Director of A Father’s Love, Maurice L. Williams.
Learn more at Darlene Williams’s official website.
