Williams named one of Oklahoma’s most influential Black leaders

Ward 7 Councilwoman Sherene L. Williams has been named one of Oklahoma’s most powerful and influential Blacks.

The designation came from TBC (The Black Chronicle) Magazine, created by the Black Chronicle newspaper to highlight the achievements, challenges and perspectives of Black individuals and communities through stories on news, culture and perspectives. The quarterly magazine recently celebrated Black History Month by highlighting Black Oklahomans who have had the greatest influence on the state and their communities.

Sherene L. Williams is a Lawton native who graduated from MacArthur High School with honors in 1981. She earned an associate of applied science degree in criminal justice, a bachelor of arts degree in speech/drama and minored in Reserves Officer Training Corps (ROTC) from Cameron University, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1986. Williams also has a master of arts degree in management from Webster University.

Williams ran for Lawton City Council on a platform Building Up Our Community Together, and said she believes it takes a team to reach goals, to better improve and build our community together. She illustrated that belief in 2024, when she and constituents painted homes for residents in Ward 7; cut lawns and held a food drive for the elderly through Senior Center for Creative Living; and built wheelchair ramps provided by the Lawton Chapter AMBUCS.

Williams retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years as a lieutenant colonel, serving as a communications electronics officer in the Signal Corp. A combat veteran, she served in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar. Williams served in many different capacities in the military, with her highlights as signal officer responsible for a $1 billion plus budget of contracts in Kuwait. She also served as a logistics director, responsible for an estimated $2 billion worth of equipment in Afghanistan.

Her military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star and Army Commendation Medal (5th Award).

Williams also retired from Sears Roebuck and Company, where she served in management. She is a previous owner/operator of Sherene’s Boutique.

Williams is active in her community, to include the executive board, Lawton Parent Teacher Association (PTA) as the area advisor. She is a member of the Lawton Fort-Sill Chamber of Commerce and prior business member; a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1193, Military Officers Association of America and National Association for Black Veterans, Inc.; and a member of Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association.

She serves as the City of Lawton liaison officer on the Library Board, Homeless Action Committee and City of Lawton Steering Committee. She is a former member of the Optimist club; is a Silver Life member of the NAACP, serving as president, and second and third vice president; and served more than seven years on the Lawton Heritage Association board of directors and eight years on the Parks and Recreation Commission. She is a published author of a “Mother’s Love” poetry book and was honored as a lifetime member of Biltmore’s Who’s Who Registry of Executive and Professionals (Entrepreneur).

Williams is the daughter of the late Norman Holman Sr., a disabled World War II veteran, and the late Pearlean Williams-Lawrence, a home daycare provider. She said she credits her grandmother, the late Mrs. Donnie Fludd-Jackson, for being instrumental in her life, and the late Issac Williams and the late Sarah B. Williams for being exemplary examples in her community.