I had the pleasure of sitting with Larry D. Williams, a community builder originally from Longview, Texas. We talked about making Austin home, connecting people to opportunities, and finding belonging in the relationships we build. Here’s an excerpt from our conversation.

From a conversation with Larry D. Williams. Edited for length and clarity.

“I grew up in an area where community is really big. Your auntie lived ten minutes away from you. Your mama and your grandmother lived right down the road. Everybody was a bike ride, a walk, or a little short ride away from each other. We spent holidays and weekends and the whole thing. I was ready to find my community here. And when I got here, I was like, ‘There’s not a lot of people who look like me in this area.’

My idea became, if I can’t find it, I can help build it, grow it. If I see another brother at an event, I’m going to go talk to him. I’m gonna go connect with him, spend time with him, take him to lunch, ask for a coffee, and I don’t care if he’s a janitor or CEO of a company. Same thing for my African-American sisters and any other minorities. I’m going to connect, and I want to be a funnel or a path for other people to connect as well.

My greatest joy in building community here is being a part of that connecting group. ‘I met this person. This person needs to meet this person.’ And then let’s all find places to gather, to be with each other in some way, shape, or form.”