Florida A&M professor and commissioner William “Bill” Proctor will be the keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King (MLK) Convocation on Jan. 14 at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gym.
FAMU’s Chief Communication Officer Sharon P. Saunders said Proctor was chosen to speak because he has a great voice.
“He is the voice of the community; he champions their causes and their needs,” Saunders said. “Martin Luther King, Jr. supported civil rights for the community, and Commissioner Proctor supports the same ideas King was so passionate about.”
Proctor said it is an honor to speak at the MLK Convocation on Thursday.
“…extreme honor, I’m humbled this highly great academic community chose me,” said Proctor.
“I think if you look around, a great cloud of genius witnesses can give a message about Dr. King, but they chose little me to speak to the audience, that is an honor.”
Proctor has been a professor at Florida A&M since 1986 and an associate minister at Bethel A.M.E. Church.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University School of Communications and a juris doctorate degree from Howard University School of Law.
In 1996, Proctor was elected to the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and represents the citizens of Leon County in District 1.
Proctor served as chairman of the board in 2006. His priorities as the District 1 Commissioner were affordable housing, quality healthcare and education.
As county commissioner, his accomplishments include the widening of Crawfordville Road (US Hwy 319 South), and Orange Avenue. He was also instrumental in the building of FAMU’s B.L. Perry Branch Public Library and the Southside Richardson-Lewis Health Center.
He has served on several community advisory boards and has received numerous awards and recognitions for his public service.