Interview with Byron L. Williams, August 20, 2021

Partial Transcript: Hi, my name is Joyce Jenkins. I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, uh, serving--having served in Cambodia, 2011 to 2013 in the education sector. And today, I'm talking, uh, with Byron Williams who has had, uh, a lot of experience with Peace Corps including service in two countries and working on staff, uh, as well, for several years.

Segment Synopsis: Williams gives a description of Lesotho including the geography and economy.

Keywords: Jobs; Maryland; New York City (N.Y.); Peace Corps staff; Population

Subjects: Finance; International travel; Peace Corps (U.S.)--2000-2010; Peace Corps (U.S.)--2010-2020; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; South Africa; Washington (D.C.)

Partial Transcript: What were you doing, uh, before you ended up in Lesotho?

Segment Synopsis: For a year after his college graduation, Williams had various jobs and volunteer activities involved with youth development.

Keywords: Activities; Education programs; Jobs; Youth development

Subjects: Careers.; Occupations.; Professions.; Vocation.; Voluntarism; Volunteers; Work.

Partial Transcript: What interested you in Peace Corps?

Segment Synopsis: Williams grew up in Las Vegas. In high school, Williams became passionate about learning Spanish. In college, Williams minored in Spanish. Williams was considering a career as a translator and consequently spoke to a Peace Corps recruiter on his college campus.

Keywords: Activities; Books; Diversity; Future plans; High schools; Interests; Las Vegas (Nev.); Peace Corps recruiters; Spanish (Language); Stipends; Support; Teaching English as a second language; Traveling; Undergraduate education

Subjects: College students--Conduct of life; Finance; International travel; Language and languages; Mexico; Tutors and tutoring; Voluntarism

Partial Transcript: One thing led to another. I ended up applying, got ac--uh, ended up applying, I got accepted, and then they said...

Segment Synopsis: Williams was considered for a program in a Spanish speaking country but he felt he lacked the technical background for that program. Williams agreed to be considered for another program in youth development in sub-Saharan Africa, as both were interests of his. Subsequently, Williams gladly accepted a posting in Lesotho.

Keywords: Applications; Interests; Spanish (Language); Unprepared; Youth development

Subjects: Africa; Angola; Language and languages; Lesotho; Mozambique; Peace Corps (U.S.); Sahara; Tutors and tutoring; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Did you have staging?

Segment Synopsis: Williams' cohort of 33 trainees had a staging in Philadelphia for a week.

Keywords: Excited; Expectations; Fears; Orientation; Philadelphia (Pa.)

Subjects: Emotions; Health; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Were your family and friends, uh, supportive of this venture?

Segment Synopsis: Williams' younger sister was supportive but his mother was scared. Williams' friends tended to be supportive but cautious. No one in Williams' immediate family had traveled internationally before. Some of Williams' friends argued that he could help people and practice Spanish without going overseas.

Keywords: Advantages; African Americans; Black Americans; Encouragement; Friends; Goals; Las Vegas (Nev.); Mothers; Safety; Scared; Siblings; Spanish (Language); Support

Subjects: Africa; Careers; Emotions; International travel; Language and languages; Peace Corps (U.S.); Sahara; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: And my question really is, as a, as a Black, uh, uh, American, how were you accepted?

Segment Synopsis: Williams lived with a host family during pre-service training in the village of Mahobong. Many people there and in his town of assignment, Mohale's Hoek, had not encountered a Black American before so it caused confusion as the local people assumed that all Americans were white. In Williams' cohort, there were 4 people of color. Williams studied the local language enthusiastically during pre-service training. Williams' language fluency helped him gain acceptance. At his work site, Williams says that he looked like a local and gained a reputation for speaking the local language well and was able to blend in. Williams' counterpart was also highly regarded by the local people which helped Williams gain acceptance.

Keywords: Acceptance; African Americans; Appearance; Asian Americans; Black Americans; Blending in; Cohorts; Counterparts; Diversity in the Peace Corps; Fluency; Host family; Language skills; Leribe (Lesotho); Local people; Locals; Mahobong (Lesotho); Misconceptions; Mohale's Hoek (Lesotho); Native Americans; People of color; Pre-service training; Reputation; Second Goal; Stereotypes; Stereotypical Americans

Subjects: Acculturation; Communication and culture; Emigration and immigration; Intercultural communication; Interpersonal relations; Lesotho; Manners and customs; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Well, let's talk--I want to talk briefly about your training, what that entailed.

Segment Synopsis: Williams enjoyed his pre-service training and service which gave him the opportunity to understand other people's perspectives. Williams felt the need to act responsibly as a representative of the U.S. Williams kept a personal journal and often wrote letters home.

Keywords: African Americans; Assumptions; Black Americans; Cultural training; Excited; Family; Friends; Host family; Language training; Letters; Malcolm X; Personal growth; Perspectives; Returned Peace Corps Volunteers; Scared; Second Goal; Support; Technical training

Subjects: Africa; Emotions; Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Let's, uh, let's talk about your permanent site. Okay? What you were doing there. What your day looked like, you know? Um, and your living conditions there.

Segment Synopsis: A group of local business people, who had requested a Volunteer, provided Williams with a mobile home for housing which was a 5-minute walk from his youth center.

Keywords: Amenities; Distance; Housing; Living alone; Running water; Site visits; United Nations Children's Fund; Youth centers

Subjects: Lesotho; Non-governmental organizations; Nonprofit organizations; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; United Nations; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, tell me what your typical day was like at the youth center.

Segment Synopsis: The purpose of the youth center was to provide educational and recreational activities for young people who were out of school because they were head of household, impacted by HIV/AIDS, or couldn't afford to attend school. The government only provided free education through the sixth grade. Williams describes a sample of the activities at the center and his local social interactions in the area. In the evenings, Williams would read, listen to the radio, and write correspondence.

Keywords: Activities; Community involvement; Free time; Friends; Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS); Recreation; School systems; Siblings; Socializing; Support

Subjects: Finance; Health; Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Uh, what would you describe as your, um, acc--greatest accomplishment or success at your time with the youth center?

Segment Synopsis: Williams says that his greatest accomplishment was being able to become like a member of the family to the youths and serve as a role model to them. Williams was perceived as being different from other Volunteers because he listened better and put the local people and their cultural values ahead of just the end goal of the project. At times, Williams was bothered by the double standard of white privilege. Williams looks forward to going back to Lesotho.

Keywords: Challenges; Cultural differences; Cultural exchange; Future plans; Mindsets; Perceptions; Skills; Sustainability; White privilege

Subjects: Communication and culture; Emotions; Intercultural communication; Interpersonal relations; Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Teaching; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: There was six years in between, um, my services.

Segment Synopsis: Williams got married in 2009. After a year, Williams' wife expressed an interest in serving as a Volunteer. So, they applied and were offered a posting in Ukraine in an education program.

Keywords: Applications; Education programs; Interests; Marriage

Subjects: Eastern Europe; Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: So, uh, where did you land first in Ukraine?

Segment Synopsis: Williams and his wife's cohort had pre-service training in Chernihiv where the trainees stayed with host families. Williams was unprepared for the winter weather in Ukraine.

Keywords: Chernihiv (Ukraine); Clothing; English (Language); Fluency; Host family; Language training; Las Vegas (Nev.); National languages; Peace Corps staff; Pre-service training; Russian (Language); Sesotho (Language); Traveling; Ukrainian (Language); Unprepared; Weather

Subjects: International travel; Language and languages; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Russia; Soviet Union; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: And so what was your job for the both of you in Ukraine?

Segment Synopsis: Williams and his wife both taught English and American culture. Williams was assigned to Lviv Polytechnic University. Williams mostly taught first or second year students and created teaching materials for use by other instructors of English. Williams briefly describes the peoples who have contributed to the culture of the Lviv region.

Keywords: Crimea (Ukraine); Kiev (Ukraine); Lviv (Ukraine); Lviv Polytechnic University; News; Odessa (Ukraine); Teaching English as a foreign language

Subjects: Culture; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Poland; Turkey; Ukraine; Universities and colleges; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Um, what was your, uh, living arrangement?

Segment Synopsis: The university provided Williams and his wife with a flat generally used by visiting faculty members. He briefly compares this living arrangement to his housing in Lesotho.

Keywords: Amenities; Housing; Living arrangements; Living conditions; Living situations; Roommates; Site mates; Soviet flats

Subjects: Lesotho; Lifestyles; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Um, did you have an opportunity to travel while you were in Ukraine?

Segment Synopsis: During his second tour of service as a Volunteer, Williams went on vacation to Poland, the Czech Republic, Venice, Rome, France, Slovakia, Austria, and Eastern Europe.

Keywords: Rome (Italy); Traveling; Venice (Italy)

Subjects: Austria; Bulgaria; Czech Republic; Eastern Europe; France; International travel; Italy; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Poland; Slovakia; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Well, h-how would you compare, uh, Lesotho and Ukraine as service?

Segment Synopsis: As a Black Volunteer, Williams' experiences in Lesotho and in Ukraine were very different. In Lesotho, Williams could blend in as a local and in Ukraine, he could not. Other differences which Williams notes are his marital status, the programs he was in, the amount of his previous work experience, and his language fluency. In both locations, Williams felt supported by his community, although in Ukraine it took longer to gain people's trust.

Keywords: Acceptance; African Americans; Ages; Appearance; Black Americans; Blending in; Chernihiv (Ukraine); Differences; Education programs; Fluency; History; Joseph Stalin; Lviv (Ukraine); Marriage; Roommates; Second Goal; Site mates; Support; Youth development

Subjects: Africa; Eastern Europe; Europe; Interpersonal relations and culture; Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Sahara; Social norms; Soviet Union; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: In terms of your positive and negative experiences, how would you identify those for Ukraine?

Segment Synopsis: In Ukraine, Williams was bothered by people wanting to touch him or photograph him without his permission. A high point for Williams in Ukraine was the close relationship he and his wife had with his university counterpart and her family.

Keywords: African Americans; Black Americans; Counterparts; Friends; Friendships; Relationships; Social interactions; Students

Subjects: Africa; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; Ghana; Interpersonal relations; Nigeria; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Did you have, uh, the opportunity to do, um, so-called secondary projects, other projects outside your teaching assignment?

Segment Synopsis: Williams found himself quite busy in Ukraine with his teaching and familial responsibilities. Therefore, Williams did not have any secondary projects.

Keywords: Co-teachers; Preparation; Schedules

Subjects: Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Teaching; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Did you find Peace Corps supportive of you as a couple?

Segment Synopsis: Williams feels that the Ukrainian Peace Corps staff always was supportive and made decisions with his and his wife's well-being in mind.

Keywords: Decisions; Mid-career; Older volunteers; Peace Corps staff; Placement; Russian (Language); Safety; Support; Ukrainian (Language)

Subjects: Health; Language and languages; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Did you, uh, stay healthy?

Segment Synopsis: Williams discusses health problems that he and his wife experienced and the appropriate support they received from the Peace Corps in response. He compares his health in Ukraine and Lesotho.

Keywords: Changes; Doctors; Illness; Immune system; Impact; Medication; Ocular tears; Partnerships; Peace Corps offices; Peace Corps staff; Problems; Sickness; Surgery; Traveling; Weight loss

Subjects: Emotions; Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Lesotho; Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Overall impression of Ukraine?

Segment Synopsis: Williams feels that Ukraine is often overlooked because of its proximity to Russia. However, Williams would like to return there as he and his wife had a very positive experience there.

Keywords: African Americans; Black Americans; Community; Distance; Family; Friends; Returning; Understanding

Subjects: Africa; Eastern Europe; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Ukraine; Russia; Soviet Union; Ukraine; Voluntarism; Volunteer workers in education; Volunteers; World politics

Partial Transcript: Okay, well then you had another short break but then you apparently were asked to join Peace Corps at the staff level. Is that right?

Segment Synopsis: Following his service in Lesotho, Williams stayed active with the Peace Corps community. While serving in Ukraine, Williams wished to further promote the Peace Corps. Shortly after returning from Ukraine, Williams became a regional recruiter for the Peace Corps based in New York City. Later, as a diversity outreach specialist in Washington, D.C., Williams' focus was exclusively on underrepresented groups in the Peace Corps. Williams describes his various activities as a staff member.

Keywords: Activities; African Americans; Ages; Awareness; Black Americans; Career paths; Community; Decisions; Disabled persons; Diversity in the Peace Corps; Extensions; First Goal; Future plans; Hispanic Americans; Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs); Identity; Jobs; LGBTQ+ community; Las Vegas (Nev.); Latinx; Native Americans; New Jersey; New York City (N.Y.); Peace Corps recruiters; Peace Corps staff; People of color; Preparation; Retirement; Returned Peace Corps Volunteers; Second Goal; Skills; Speaking; Support; Third Goal; Veterans

Subjects: Finance; International travel; Lesotho; Minorities; Older people; Parents; Peace Corps (U.S.); Peace Corps (U.S.)--Management; Schools; Sexual orientation; Students; Ukraine; Universities and colleges; Voluntarism; Washington (D.C.)

Partial Transcript: So what I--you know, I reached the end of my, my five year term, um, going from New York City to D.C.

Segment Synopsis: Presently, Williams is working in human resources for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Williams describes his current responsibilities, which include recruitment.

Keywords: Activities; Career paths; Jobs; Recruiting; Speaking; United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Subjects: Careers.; Occupations.; Professions.; Vocation.; Work.

Partial Transcript: Uh, what is the greatest impact Peace Corps' had on you? Would--what would you describe as its greatest impact on you? And, and what advice would you give to people who are interested in joining Peace Corps at this time when it gears back up?

Segment Synopsis: Association with the Peace Corps has given Williams the amazing opportunity to share his skills and learn about other people and vice versa, especially as he is a Black American. Williams states that Peace Corps service can be a launching pad for many other careers and more people should be made aware of this possibility. As Peace Corps looks to send Volunteers back into the field after the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams feels this is a good time to explore joining Peace Corps as a Volunteer or as a staff member.

Keywords: African Americans; Applications; Awareness; Black Americans; Career paths; Cultural exchange; First Goal; Jobs; Learning; Peace Corps recruiters; Peace Corps staff; People of color; Preparation; Returned Peace Corps Volunteers; Second Goal; Skills; Stereotypes; Third Goal; Traveling

Subjects: Evacuation; Intercultural communication; International travel; Peace Corps (U.S.); United States. Agency for International Development; Voluntarism; Volunteers

Partial Transcript: Any criticisms of Peace Corps?

Segment Synopsis: Williams believes that Peace Corps should do a better job of hiring people of color for management and leadership positions. Williams believes that ideas from program initiatives should be better incorporated into Peace Corps' long-term planning.

Keywords: Aaron S. Williams; African Americans; Asian Americans; Black Americans; Carol R. Payton; Carrie Hessler-Radelet; Challenges; Changes; Criticisms; Decisions; Difficult; Elaine Chao; Goals; Identity; Jobs; Jody Olsen; Las Vegas (Nev.); Peace Corps directors; People of color; Perspectives; Preparation; Privilege; Recruitment; Support; Sustainability; Women

Subjects: Minorities; Peace Corps (U.S.)--History; Volunteers