William R. Roberts: Mentor and Community Leader

William R. Roberts was named President of Verizon Maryland Inc. on July 1, 2000. Mr. Roberts oversees all of the company's local telephone operations in Maryland.

Mr. Roberts began his career with C&P Telephone in 1980 as a business office manager. He has held positions of increasing responsibility in operations, human resources, marketing, public affairs, and government relations.

Mr. Roberts serves as a member of the Maryland Economic Development Commission; board member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; the Foundation for the National Archives; the Greater Baltimore Alliance; the Greater Baltimore Committee; the Kennedy Krieger Institute; the Living Classrooms Foundation; the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education; the Maryland Chamber of Commerce; and the National Aquarium in Baltimore. He also serves on the board of trustees for Harbor Hospital Center; Villa Julie College and Morgan State University Board of Regents. Mr. Roberts also mentors homeless men at the Gospel Rescue Mission in Washington, D.C.

Born and raised in Unionville, located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Mr. Roberts graduated in 1977 from Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Mr. Roberts and his family reside in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Roberts just concluded a six-year chairmanship of the African Continuum Theater Company (The only black professional theater company in DC). Roberts does theater productions geared towards the African American community -- celebrating the richness of black culture - past, present and future. He deals with children, adults and professionals performers.

Participates in workshops and training sessions for young people. Young write their own plays and produce them on stage. Roberts grew the board under his leadership and expanded the budget. The theater company did not have its own space. It performed in various locations such as the Source Arena and Living Stage. Under Roberts' leadership, the group has performed at the Kennedy Center since 1999. Roberts' always has been interested in the arts. He provides leadership and administrative skills to help fledgling organizations grow.

Roberts became involved with the Gospel Rescue Mission in 1998 after giving a speech on the history of his hometown. A man wanted a copy of the speech to share with his wife who was a therapist at the Mission. Roberts was invited to speak to the homeless men and later decided to work with (and mentor) them.

Some men had problems with alcohol and other drugs. Some men had scrapes with the law. Roberts was a positive role model, providing leadership and guidance. He worked with the men and encouraged them to get back in the mainstream and be productive citizens. The men produced a brochure which is located at the Gospel Ministries web site (www.grm.org)

Roberts allowed the men to visit his offices in DC and Baltimore to experience a corporate setting. He held meetings in the boardroom with the men. Taught them soft skills such as interpersonal relations, conflict resolution, articulating positions. Also addressed the pitfalls of relationships. Roberts also held business meetings in restaurants to teach the men proper etiquette.

There were about 15-20 men in the program. Roberts took them on field trips to the National Aquarium in Baltimore and on historical trips to the Eastern Shore (particularly Unionville where Roberts grew up). Roberts discussed the history of his hometown. He and the men attended church together and assisted with clean-up projects at a local church. Roberts even invited the men to a crab feast and various sporting events. The goal was to add to their quality of life. The men never had to pay a dime for any of these outside activities. Roberts picked up the tab for everything.

He also helped the men work on their GEDs and get licensed for various jobs. Many of the men had positive results. Some men now work at the World Bank. Some have become teachers and GED counselors. One man is a Metro bus driver. Roberts is trying to get some of the other men jobs at Verizon.

The men are so grateful for Roberts' help. Roberts said the only thanks he needs is for the men to do well. It is a wonderful experience. When asked how Roberts managed to devote so much time with the men with his hectic work/home schedule, he said a lot of time was put in on the weekends and in the evenings. Roberts also used part of his vacation time to spend time with the men. Verizon has been very supportive of Roberts' efforts.

Roberts is a former board member of the City at Peace. City at Peace teaches conflict resolution to children of all ethnic and economic backgrounds. All people have something in common regardless of their economic status. Many children at City at Peace have experienced sexual and emotional abuse, teen pregnancy and shootings.

Kids performed their life experiences live on stage at the Warner Theater in New York. A video of the production was shown at the Kennedy Center in DC and the Lincoln Theater in New York. HBO also produced a video based on the lives of these children. City at Peace plans to establish chapters in New York and Florida.

[back to top]