Williams Barnes
President and Chief Executive Officer, Urban League of Alabama
William A. Barnes is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Alabama, a high-impact, multimillion-dollar affiliate of the National Urban League—one of the nation’s most influential economic empowerment institutions. Under his leadership, the organization has evolved into a statewide force for equity, driving measurable outcomes in economic mobility, education, workforce development, and community stabilization for historically underserved populations.
With more than two decades of leadership at the intersection of public service, education, and community transformation, Barnes has established himself as a strategic architect of large-scale impact. Since assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2015, he has led a sweeping organizational renaissance—expanding the Urban League of Alabama’s reach beyond Birmingham to a statewide footprint, while increasing service delivery to more than 9,000 families annually. His tenure is defined by disciplined growth, institutional strengthening, and a results-driven approach to advancing economic justice.
Barnes’ influence extends well beyond organizational leadership into civic and national arenas. He previously served in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Birmingham, shaping public initiatives and policy implementation. Today, he holds key governance and advisory roles, including service on the Board of Trustees of the National Urban League, the Executive Committee of the NAACP Metro Birmingham Chapter, and the Jefferson County Citizen Supervisory Commission. As President of the National Urban League Advisory Council of Executives, he leads a powerful consortium of 90+ CEOs across the country—positioning him at the forefront of strategy and influence within the Urban League movement nationwide.
A widely recognized leader, Barnes has earned distinction as one of Alabama’s most influential executives by the Birmingham Business Journal. His accolades include CEO of the Year (2021), the “Power 60” list (2023), the Community Trailblazer Award from the National Urban League (2024), and multiple honors from the NAACP, the City of Birmingham, and the Jefferson County Commission. These recognitions reflect a career defined not only by leadership, but by sustained, transformative impact at scale.