On March 5, Seedling Foundation will honor Austin ISD’s Executive Director of School, Family and Community Education Gloria Williams, Ed.D., for making a difference in the lives of at-risk children.

Along with Williams, Robert Koke, Judge Orlinda Naranjo, SaulPaul and Vince Young will be honored at Seedling’s second annual Fab Five event.

“A special task force of community leaders chose these five individuals in recognition of their unique and generous service to our community and their extraordinary efforts to improve the lives of many people who are facing serious challenges,” Seedling’s Executive Director Shira Ledman said.

Recognized as a trailblazer within AISD, Williams was the first African-American woman employed as a high school principal, in addition to being a director, area superintendent and member of an AISD’s superintendent’s cabinet/management team.

As the executive director of School, Family and Community Education, she oversees one of AISD’s largest departments, which includes more than 1,000 full- and part-time employees. Williams has been and remains extremely involved with the Austin community through her church and a variety of national, state and local community efforts.

Austin’s Fab Five will be from 6–11:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at the Omni Hotel Southpark, 4140 Governors Row. The event will feature musical entertainment by Matchmaker Band and the stand-up comedian Pat Hazell, one of the original writers for NBC’s “Seinfeld.”

Proceeds from the event support Seedling Foundation’s school-based mentoring program, which benefits children whose parents are absent from the home serving a long-term prison sentence.  

In the U.S., one in every 28 children has a parent in prison or jail. These children face a variety of risk factors that can make it difficult for them to succeed in school and in life. Seedling Foundation supports children challenged by parent incarceration by providing innovative, research driven, school-based mentoring.

For information on the event, please visit www.seedlingfoundation.org or call (512) 323-6371.

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About Seedling Foundation

The Seedling Foundation supports children challenged by parental incarceration with innovative, research-driven, school-based mentoring.