P. Frank Williams to receive 2024 JMS Alumni Impact Award

Frank Williams has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 School of Journalism and Media Studies Alumni Impact Award. Williams, an Emmy and 8-time NAACP Image winner, is celebrated for his outstanding contributions to the field of media and storytelling. The award will be presented to Williams May 10, 2024 at JMS Next, the school’s annual graduation celebration.

“The journalism school was a place that I called home and it was a place where I discovered a lot about myself as a journalist, as a writer and as a reporter,” said Williams. “A lot of the lessons that I learned, stuff that I got from San Diego State, has propelled my career from newspapers to magazines to television and documentary filmmaking. Professionally, it means a lot to receive this award because JMS is the foundation of all that I've achieved.”

A native of Oakland, California, Williams' career spans three decades in Film/TV and journalism during which time he has made an impact as a writer, speaker, teacher and producer.

With the launch of his multimedia production company, For The Culture By The Culture (@FXCXC), Williams is actively addressing the underrepresentation of people of color in the media by prioritizing authentic representation both in front of and behind the camera.

Alongside his establishment of @FXCXC, Williams has also achieved recent success as the director and executive producer of “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” which premiered on HULU on March 21st. 

Williams’ motto, "Why shoot the breeze about it, when you can be about it?" encapsulates his ethos of taking action to effect positive change.

“Williams personifies what the Alumni Impact Award is all about. We are celebrating him not only for his professional achievements but also for his commitment to social change and justice,” said director of JMS, Dr. Temple Northup.

“It's just an amazing and beautiful feeling to be able to come full circle back to JMS. I just want to make sure that all of the students at the school know that it doesn't matter your background or where you start,” said Williams. “It's about putting the work in, staying focused and trying to get to that next level. So whatever it is that you can dream of, you can achieve it. You just got to go toward the goal and go toward the light.”

The Alumni Impact Award honors Williams' dedication to his craft and to his community. JMS is proud to count him among its distinguished alumni and looks forward to celebrating his continued success.

More information about JMS Next, including how to attend, can be found on the event website: JMSnext.org.