Our History
  The organization was founded by Erise Williams, Jr., who serves as the Chief Executive Officer. The vision of the organization is to make a significant impact on the decline in the number of new HIV infections; improve the quality of life for those challenged with HIV/AIDS; and foster a greater sense of concern, understanding, and compassion from the wider community in the fight against HIV and minority health disparities. Our history begin many years ago, when our founder felt passionate about the health disparities facing African Americans in St. Louis and the State of Missouri and was convinced something had to be done.

Healthcare disparity rates in the City of St. Louis are the worst in the state of Missouri, this is where our existence is birthed from - the need to have a better community where everyone is healthy and children have longevity of life.

In St. Louis, the mortality rate among Blacks is 45% higher than for whites. African Americans are two and a half times more likely to have a stroke. In all types of cancer, African Americans have a disproportionately higher incidence and mortality rate than whites. In 2004, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports that 57 women in the region were newly diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Over 60% or 37 of these women are African American. Like women throughout the world, women who are living with HIV disease in the St. Louis HIV Region report heterosexual contact - unprotected sex with an infected man - as the most likely mode of transmission.

In St. Louis, the death rate among Blacks from diabetes is 37% higher than among whites. One in four African American women over the age of 55 has diabetes. Of newly infected HIV/AIDS cases among women in the United States, approximately 64% are African American. Among men, 50% are African American. Of the estimated 15,603 AIDS related deaths in the U.S. in 2001, 52% were among Blacks.

The percentage of African Americans in St. Louis City steadily increased during the past 30 years. A significant percentage of the minority populations in St. Louis City and County, access public health facilities as their primary healthy care provider. In addition to emergency care services. The St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area includes the City of St. Louis, six counties in Missouri and five counties in Illinois.

Williams and Associates, Inc. is a grassroots community based organization formed to serve as a voice for minority communities in the area of healthcare and disease prevention. Members of the targeted populations served by the agency, are represented on the agency's board of directors, and account for a significant number of community volunteers assisting the agency in delivering its services.