Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez Appoints Ms. Stacy Williams as the Next Director of The Office for Black Catholics in The Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has appointed Ms. Stacy Williams as the next Director of the Office for Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Ms. Williams will succeed Mrs. Kimberly Walker, who has served in that capacity for the past year.

In making this appointment, Archbishop Pérez said, “The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is home to a vibrant and richly diverse Black Catholic community. The work of the Office for Black Catholics is vital to elevating their presence within the life of our local Church and I am filled with great joy to welcome Ms. Stacy Williams as its next leader.

Ms. Williams will be instrumental to strengthening bonds within the Black Catholic community itself as well as its connection to the Church in Philadelphia. I am confident that her passion and expertise, coupled with her deep faith, will bear great fruit in the formation of Missionary Disciples for Christ.

I ask our bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and lay faithful to join me in prayerfully congratulating Ms. Williams as she prepares to assume this new role in service to God’s people. Please also join me in extending deep gratitude to Mrs. Kimberly Walker for her faithful service and many valuable contributions to our mission.” 

Ms. Williams will work in close collaboration with Mrs. Walker, who will provide ongoing support during this time of transition. Her appointment as the next director formally takes effect on July 1, 2024. As part of her responsibilities, Ms. Williams will also join the Archbishop’s Commission on Racial Healing. Formed by Archbishop Pérez in 2021, it is composed of 18 people representing the diversity of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia through the lenses of race, age, gender, and language. It is composed of clergy as well as lay men and women from urban and suburban parishes. 

Background Regarding Ms. Stacy Williams

Ms. Williams is currently the Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Associate at Saint Malachy Parish in North Philadelphia, where she has served for the past 13 years. During that time, she has played an integral role in helping parishioners form and strengthen loving and personal relationships with God through the parish’s faith formation programs. She has also developed and led comprehensive initiatives aimed at combatting racism and promoting diversity for parishioners as well as the community-at-large. Ms. Williams has also been highly involved with pastoral planning for the parish and coordinating its Youth Ministry Program.

Prior to her time at Saint Malachy Parish, Ms. Williams taught at various Catholic elementary schools in the Philadelphia region and worked as a Program Analyst at United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Ms. Williams holds a Master of Arts Degree in Public History and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Southern New Hampshire University as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Williams College. She also earned a Certificate in Youth Ministry from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and a Certificate in Teaching for Spiritual Growth from Weston Theological Seminary.

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Editor’s Note: A photograph of Ms. Williams is attached for publication purposes with credit to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

For more information about the mission and work of the Office for Black Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://officeforblackcatholicsadphila.org/.

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