Cecil J. Williams is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. He began taking documentary photographs of his community at the age of nine. By 14, he was working professionally as a freelancer for Jet, the Afro-American, and the Pittsburgh Courier, and was a stringer for the Associated Press.

His photographs have been featured in publications around the world and in galleries and in private and and corporate collections throughout the United States.

Williams has served many years as the official photographer for Claflin University, South Carolina Branch NAACP and the National Conference of Black Mayors, Inc.

Recently. Williams' work was on exhibit at the Cooper Library-Clemson University. An upcoming exhibit begins February 19, 2008 at the McCrory Museum, Columbia, SC. Recently, he exhibited at the South Carolina Museum - May 2004 thru May 2005; McKissick Museum - "Courage: The Carolina Story That Changed America," September 4, 2004 - February 25, 2005; Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte, North Carolina. Clemson University - January, 2005.