Rising Above The Fray - A Documentary

Hi, my name is Dr. James J. Williams, Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret), United States Army.  After a 31-year military career, I retired on 30 September 2019.  But first, I would be remiss if I did not pay homage to all service members in the Warrant Officer Corps. I am so proud to have served with you as your brother-in-arms. It is both an honor and a privilege.

 

Abstract

Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5) is the highest rank achieved as an Army Warrant Officer; it represents the top 1% of the Warrant Officer Corps (WOC). Attaining this level is not easy for anyone, so the few who are African American men are a revered group. Understanding how to navigate this path may benefit actively enlisted minority groups with their career paths and goals. Thus, I conducted a research study to examine the traits and experiences of retired senior field grade Warrant Officers in the contemporary U.S. Army. This ultimately became my dissertation in which I successfully defended earning my PhD in Public Management & Leadership.  I was also bestowed the 2019 Leadership Excellence Award for Outstanding Scholarship by my alma mater - Walden University. 

 

The Project

With that, I come to you as a scholar, author, speaker, veteran and now budding filmmaker/documentarian. As Founder and President of 1ManSho Productions, LLC, I sought to create stories and lived experiences through the African American lens. As executive producer, my latest project, “Rising Above the Fray – A Documentary: Lived Experiences of African Americans in the Army Warrant Officer Corps.” This debut film will air in fall 2022.

 

Following the blueprint from my dissertation study, you will witness open interviews from across the U.S. with a select few men and women who will share their own success stories, challenges, and triumphs as senior field grade officers. These are American stories, so please, let's all celebrate - together!

 

Your support will breathe life into this project while educating citizens and taxpayers alike on the role of the Army Warrant Officer. If you are interested in supporting this historic project celebrating the achievements of African American Army senior field grade Warrant Officers, I ask humbly for your contribution. Thank You!