Edward Wyckoff Williams

Edward Wyckoff Williams
Born	(1978-02-06) February 6, 1978 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Television producer, political analyst, columnist, correspondent, former investment banker
Known for	Political analysis and journalism on major platforms including NBC, MSNBC, Al Jazeera, BuzzFeed, PBS, ABC, CNN, CBS, BBC, VICE Media, NPR

Edward Wyckoff Williams (born February 6, 1978) is an American television producer, political analyst, columnist, correspondent, and former investment banker. His work has been featured across various major platforms including NBC, MSNBC, Al Jazeera, BuzzFeed, PBS, ABC, CNN, CBS, BBC, VICE Media, NPR, as well as nationally syndicated radio broadcasts.

Early life and education

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Williams is the son of Edward Wyckoff Williams (1951–2008) and Audrey (née Felton). He attended Newark Academy located in Livingston, New Jersey, before matriculating at Yale University. There, he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History and held the position of Freshman Class Council president. During his time at Yale, Williams interned at the White House under Vice President Al Gore and served as a legislative aide to Senator Frank Lautenberg.

He pursued further academic study at the University of Oxford's Oriel College, earning a Master of Philosophy in Comparative Social Policy in 2003. Subsequently, he embarked on a professional path in management consulting and investment banking within London's financial sector.

Career

Williams has contributed articles to a variety of publications such as The Root, The Washington Post, Slate, Salon, The Advocate, Out Magazine, VICE Media, Ebony Magazine, The Grio, and The Huffington Post. His journalistic endeavors primarily address socio-political topics and include interviews with notable individuals like U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, HUD Secretary Julian Castro, comedian Chris Rock, Senator Cory Booker, activist Martin Luther King III, Trayvon Martin’s parents, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Congressman Steve Israel, and NFL wide receiver Laveranues Coles.

On nationally syndicated radio platforms, Williams has been featured on Chicago's WVON 1690AM, NPR affiliates WEAA 88.9FM and KPFA 94.1FM, Hard Knock Radio, and Equality Pride Radio WWRL 1600AM. His commentary has also appeared on Al Jazeera America as well as television networks including Al Jazeera, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, BBC, and CNN. His political analysis covers issues such as minority rights, healthcare policy, education reform, immigration matters, international relations, and the presidency of Barack Obama.

In 2015, Williams received two nominations from the GLAAD Media Awards: one for Outstanding Television Journalism for his Al Jazeera report "Gay and Muslim in America," and another for Outstanding Digital Journalism for "Black Parents, Gay Sons and Redefining Masculinity." Notably, he was the sole individual nominated twice that year. Additionally, the United Nations highlighted him in its Free & Equal campaign commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia; this initiative was broadcast on Times Square's Reuters and NASDAQ digital billboards.

Williams advanced to the role of senior producer for talent coordination and booking at BuzzFeed in 2017 amid the rollout of their daily news and entertainment shows. During this tenure, he produced content featuring a wide array of celebrities and political figures such as Dolly Parton, Angela Bassett, Priyanka Chopra, Seth Rogen, Madeleine Albright, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Lena Waithe, Gina Rodriguez, Elijah Wood, Anthony Bourdain, Michael Phelps, Gabrielle Union, Rob Reiner, Sting, Clive Davis, Jim Gaffigan, Terry Crews, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Erykah Badu, Mark Ruffalo, Elizabeth Banks, Chrissy Teigen, Questlove, Senator Kamala Harris, Issa Rae among others. His productions earned recognition as finalists for Live News Coverage at the 10th Annual Shorty Awards and secured a 2018 Webby Award honoring excellence in news on social media platforms.

In 2019, Williams joined VICE Media as senior producer responsible for talent leadership within their expanding television and digital content divisions.

External links

• Edward Wyckoff Williams – Contributor, The Grio