LINC Commissioner Dr. Marjorie Williams was named the recipient of the Carl R. Johnson Humanitarian Award at the 51st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet of the NAACP Kansas City, Mo. Branch on Oct. 13.

Williams was honored for her active role in education, community issues and organizations in the Greater Kansas City area. She served as superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District from 2000 to 2012 after working in the Kansas City, Columbia, and Ferguson Florissant school districts.

Williams founded The Marste Group, LLC, a consulting firm serving school districts and businesses throughout the United States. She also serves on various community and civic boards including LINC.

Carl R. Johnson, a member of the NAACP national legal staff, was the first African American elected to a judgeship in Kansas City and the division four judge of the Kansas City Municipal Court from 1955 to his death in 1960.

“Defeat Hate — Vote” was the theme of this year’s NAACP banquet.