Juan Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Williams
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Williams in 2016
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| Born |
Juan Antonio Williams
April 10, 1954 |
| Alma mater | Haverford College (BA) |
| Occupation | Author, journalist |
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Notable credit(s)
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| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Susan Delise
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
Juan Antonio Williams, born on April 10, 1954, is a journalist and political expert from Panama and America. He works for Fox News Channel. He writes for big newspapers like The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. His articles have also appeared in magazines such as The Atlantic and Time.
Williams has worked as a writer who shares opinions, a reporter from the White House, and a national reporter. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He has written several books, including Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954–1965. This book goes along with a TV series about the civil rights movement. He also wrote a book about Thurgood Marshall, the first Black American judge on the Supreme Court. Williams has won an Emmy Award for his TV work and other awards for his reporting and opinion pieces. He has been with Fox News since 1997.
Contents
Early Life and School
Juan Williams was born in Colón, Panama, on April 10, 1954. His father was from the West Indies and his mother was from Panama. His family spoke Spanish at home.
When he was four years old, Williams moved from Panama to the United States with his mother and two siblings. They traveled on a banana boat. His family first lived in Pleasantville, New Jersey, then settled in Brooklyn, New York.
Williams received a scholarship to attend Oakwood Friends School, a Quaker school in Poughkeepsie, New York. At Oakwood, he was chosen as the "student clerk" in his final year. He also edited the school newspaper and played sports. After finishing school in 1972, Williams went to Haverford College. He earned a degree in philosophy in 1976.
Career Highlights
Juan Williams has had a long career in journalism, working for major news organizations.
Writing for The Washington Post
Williams worked as a writer for The Washington Post newspaper for 23 years.
Working at National Public Radio
In 2000, Williams joined NPR, which is a public radio network. He first hosted a daily talk show called Talk of the Nation. Later, he became a senior national reporter for NPR.
In 2010, NPR ended his contract after he made some comments on The O'Reilly Factor, a show on Fox News. He said that he felt nervous when he saw people in Muslim clothing on an airplane. NPR stated that his comments did not fit their rules for news analysts. They said his remarks hurt his trustworthiness as a reporter.
NPR's president, Vivian Schiller, later apologized for a comment she made about Williams' feelings. Many people debated whether NPR was right to fire him. Some thought his words were taken out of context. Others pointed out that other NPR reporters had shared opinions without being fired.
Joining Fox News Channel
Williams has been a contributor for Fox News since 1997. He has appeared on shows like Special Report with Bret Baier and FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace. He was also a regular co-host on The Five. In 2021, he announced he would work from the D.C. office to spend more time with his family.
After NPR ended his contract in 2010, Fox News offered Williams a new contract with more money and a bigger role. He often appeared on The O'Reilly Factor and sometimes filled in as a guest host. Williams believes NPR let him go because he appeared on Fox News. He said, "They don't want me talking to you." In 2016, he mentioned that his two sons are in the Republican Party.
In 2022, Williams wrote an opinion piece for Fox News about rap and drill music. He shared his opinion that the popularity of these music types causes more crime among young Black men with low incomes.
Television Work and Books
Williams has won an Emmy Award for his work writing TV documentaries. He has been praised for documentaries like Politics: The New Black Power and Civil Rights and The Press.
His 1988 book, Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954–65, was written to go with the first season of the PBS series Eyes on the Prize. His 2003 book, This Far by Faith, also goes with a PBS series.
Williams writes for many national magazines, including Fortune and TIME. He also appears on various television programs like ABC's Nightline and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
He has given speeches at important events, such as the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision. This decision ended legal segregation in public schools. He has also received special degrees, called honorary doctorates, from several colleges.
Personal Life
Juan Williams married Susan Delise in July 1978. They have three children: a daughter named Rae, and two sons named Antonio (Tony) and Raphael (Raffi).
His son Tony worked for a Republican Senator and later ran for a seat on the Council of the District of Columbia. His younger son, Raffi, studied at Haverford College, his father's old school. Raffi has worked for the Republican National Committee and as a press secretary for former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson.
Williams is also a grandfather to twin girls, Pepper and Wesley.
Juan Williams describes himself as "a black guy with a Hispanic name." He identifies as Afro-Panamanian. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is active on the board of directors for the New York Civil Rights Coalition.
Awards
Juan Williams has received many awards throughout his career. These include special honorary degrees from Haverford College and the State University of New York.
See also
- New Yorkers in journalism
