Relationships are a dime a dozen, some come and go that are learning experiences whether big or small; Others come at you fast that mature and blossom into life long bonds. I met Byron L. Williams via twitter in 2014 , a fellow Returned Peace Corps Volunteer turned Peace Corps Recruiter that was living in New York with his wife and first born son Evan. Byron introduced himself with a tweet that said “The Peace Corps Director just shouted out your project METHOD, salute brotha!” That was probably the most significant tweet I’d received, maybe still til this day. Any contact from the “outside world” while sitting in a tin house burning up in a village in the middle of sub-Saharan Africa, is a great distraction… I didn’t realize that tweet would have an everlasting affect on me. Byron and I kept in contact, we would exchange a series of tweets over the next year or so to see how each other were doing, and express general appreciation. I thought this relationship would be a flash in a pan, but genuine nonetheless. I didn’t think this interaction would exceed 140 characters when all said and done. Quite the contrary, I finished my Peace Corps service in April of 2015, then moved back to Little Rock for a few months to readjust and get my life back on track. I would eventually earn a position in October 2015 at Peace Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C…. Not knowing that Byron and his family moved to D.C. a month before my arrival to accept a Diversity Outreach Specialist position for the agency. After I completed my new employee training, I finally had a chance to view my work space and to my surprise, to realize that Byron worked a few feet away from me. He and I locked eyes, and he dapped me up and we hugged it out as if we known each other for centuries, and from there a physical bond was born.
Byron has a strong presence, and very distinct features. Dark, slim, with long locs and makes your acquaintance with a firm handshake and quirky laughter, with a name introduction of Byron L. Williams…. With an extra emphasis on the “L”, as if that is his energy source. Now, Byron has told me his middle name several times, and I remember it. However, I call him a variation of L names, with my favorite being Le’Roy. The “L” has become an inside joke within our peer to peer network, that will lighten any mood.
Byron is the classic case of doing too much. He’s the type of brother that will see a church van broken down on the opposite side of the freeway in traffic; and will turn around to help them out, where as I would say “Its a church van, I’m certain this was Gods Plan”.. He and I are inherently different, however its that oil and water chemistry that has allowed us to actually mix very well. Byron is friendly and inviting, so much so that he even makes white people feel welcomed without hesitation. Anyone that works in a mostly white space for an extended amount of time, knows the art of code-switching, and to some degree has their own unique style of doing so. However, code-switching is a task and you have to turn it on and off throughout the day when time permits. This man Byron can keep it on for a full work shift and not seem fazed or drained, which again may be a nod to the aforementioned “L” power source. To maintain a level of respect from Black co-workers while you work a room full of white co-workers talking about diplomacy, foreign affairs, and the latest episode of “The Bachelor” is difficult, because as people its natural to congregate with the group you identify most with. In the case of Byron, the brother is like a double dutch master, jumping between both groups with perfect footing and stays on beat even in transition. Truly a master.
Byron continues to grow at a constant pace. Since I have known him, he and his wife Denise have had their second child Ellis, he pledged the oldest and the coldest fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, bought a brand new house, joined ICAP, while I write this blog is 1 month shy of completing his masters degree, and fortunately (but really unfortunately for me) reached his 5 year contract at Peace Corps and got a new job at USDA, which is the impetus for this narrative.. Executing all of this within a 2 year span. Blessed and highly favored is what it is commonly referred to as, and much deserved indeed.
Byron egging me on, during our Sankofa holiday party in 2015.
An advocate of mine since day 1, for reasons I don’t understand, this man constantly thinks the highest of me and my role on this earth, when most of the time I question every move that I make. Byron is right there in my corner encouraging me to take a certain leap or giving me follow up information on how to implement or execute a project. Regardless of how silly or haphazardly a thought, he is there to give wise counsel, and for that I am grateful. Byron has truly been a blessing in my life and someone I am happy to call a Brother, the “L” in his name can and will stand for many things, however in this case at this moment it stands for Love.
Byron and I saw the dope Basquiat street art and had to get a selfie in.
Work shenanigans..
Byron and I at the Alpha Phi Alpha Eastern Regional Conference in Connecticut, on behalf of Peace Corps.
Our Co-worker Joshua Kim caught a candid photo of us at a Africa Union Mission panel discussion.
Trinishia, Breanna, Byron, and myself sit on the sofa in the Peace Corps Headquarters to unknowing re-create the TV show Friends except we did the Black version.
