James Arthur Williams

Dr. Williams serves as an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee and the owner of UNMASKYTP, LLC. He is also a professional actor, and he has performed roles for Murder Calls, Justice By Any Means, Lt. Joe Kenda Homicide Hunter, Snapped, Killer Post, Fatal Attraction, and a commercial for Harrah's Casino in Cherokee, NC. He wrote From Thug to Scholar: An Odyssey to Unmask my True Potential. His second book will be released April 5, 2017, How to Get Abs like a Bodybuilder but Eat like a Fat boy. He has published research on emotional intelligence, soft skills, transformational leadership, employee training, mentorship, hospitality pedagogy, human resource management, and professional development. Dr. Williams grew up hard and fast, selling crack and weed at 13, and having two kids, dropping out, and being homeless by 17, never knew his biological father. Yet, football provided a way out, so he eventually did enough to attend and to play football for Methodist University, in Fayetteville, NC. Yet, he was kicked off the team, and he quickly affiliated himself with the BLOODS until he almost shot someone in Durham, NC (January 1999). That was the turning point...the moment he decided to unmask and to join the United States Air Force. Dr. Williams began to recognize true love and to approach life from a more open-minded perspective; and he has never looked back. Dr. Williams went on to play professional arena football for the Raleigh Rebels and earn six college degrees (two doctorates). Dr. Williams has spoke to over 100 unique audiences, and won numerous speech competitions for Toastmaster's International; he has served as a keynote speaker for Coffeewood Correctional Institution, public schools, colleges, fortune 500 companies, professional organizations, and given commencement speeches to various high schools. Dr. Williams has industry experience in the USAF, banking, sales, manufacturing, hospitality, and education. He is also a Certified Hospitality Educator and trainer. Dr. Williams has been featured on UDC-TV, MadhouseTV, WBIR, WATE-TV, Hallerin Hill Radio Show, WUOT Radio Show, Knoxville News to name a few.