2nd Vice President

Willie Holton Halbert has resided in Bloomington-Normal for over 40 years and has committed her life to helping others. She is an Activist and works in the community and world making a difference in the lives of others. She believes that God has blessed her to bless others. When you give, your life will be blessed and that is the true secret to success. She shares her passion for exceeding your goals through motivational speaking, Training, Volunteering within communities, providing workshops to youth and adults helping and inspiring others to see from her life experiences that you can exceed your goals.

She is the author of several motivational books, “Precious Treasures,” “Seasons of our Lives,” and her most recent book was released in 2014, “Cooking With Love.” Her motivational books are about life experiences and precious memories that enrich our lives – Willie uses the art of storytelling to take you on a journey from trials to triumphs of your own lives and teaches us all that everything in our lives is purposeful. Willie has written, directed, and produced several plays for the Bloomington-Normal Community.

Willie is a retiree from the Illinois Department of Corrections (1979-2002), where she worked for over 25 years in counseling and management as assistant superintendent of parole. She currently works has her real estate license and has worked as a Licensed Office Manager with Al Legg at REMAX Choice for over 6 years. Willie has a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice. Willie is married to Charles G. Halbert for 45 (45) years and has three children, Mary ( age 35), Liz (deceased, former Attorney & a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.), and Collyssa (age 16)..She also has 4 children in the Lord, Yashica Mosley, Shomari Caffey, Nikita Richards, and O.J. Wilkins. She also has a precious great-granddaughter, Ryleigh Rose Beaulieu.

COMMUNITY

– 2019- Present – Activist for human rights and currently serves as 2nd Vice President for the Bloomington-Normal NAACP where she chairs the Freedom Fund Committee, Census, and serves as an advisor to a number of committees.. She motivated and helped to lead her branch to first place in the 2019 Illinois State NAACP Convention.

2018- Present – Serves on the Bloomington Normal Black History Project with the Mclean County Museum, identifying Black members of our community, past & present who made a difference in our community and we interview them and provide programming to the community to inform and provide historical perspective on their achievements and help to empower our community to achieve it’s best. She chaired the revitalization of the Juneteenth Celebration 2019 and hope we continue this rich history throughout the years.

– 2019 – Present -Sunday School Co-Teacher for adults 19-35 years old at Mt Pisgah Baptist Church where she is a member.

– 2019- Willie volunteers as a 4-H Leader with Kids Who Serve 4-H Club assist youth with life skills and how to be their best and give their time, talent and treasures make a difference.

-Oct 2019 – Willie was inducted into Thornton Township High School Hall of Fame for her community & volunteer work for over 45 years.

– She volunteers every other month, 2nd Wednesday of that month, prepares dinner for the community to help make a difference.

– 2017-2018 – Volunteered to help bring awareness of the Homeless Issues in our Community through the Home Sweet Home Night in A Car that is held every year around the month of February.

– 2015- Present – Willie volunteers with various community organizations presenting etiquette classes for youth and cooking classes – teaching youth with our community life skills and how to exceed their goals.

April 2009 – Crown Miss Illinois Zeta at the Great Lakes Regional Conference; Competed for Miss Zeta USA on August 6, 2009 at the ZOL (Zeta Organization Leadership Conference) in Washington, D.C. and won 3^rd Runner-Up

– Present – Motivational speaker and presenter for local churches, businesses and other organizations; Presenting workshops on finances, goal setting, and relationships; Delegate for the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice on two occasions at Trinidad NABCJ Conference in May 2011, NABCJ 2011 National Conference, South Carolina State Conference December 2011, Kentucky Federal Prison System in 2012, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority – Beta Iota Zeta Chapter Finer Womanhood Workshop Speaker, Mt. Bethesda Baptist Church, etc…

2011 2013 – Committee member for Afro-Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) working with African American students who participate in the program to compete in areas of Sciences, Humanities, Performing Arts, and Business, High School Freshman- Senior and currently working as their Public Relations representative. 2012 Volunteer of the Year for ACT-SO.

1985 – Present – Playwriter, Actress, & Director – Author of the plays, “Broken Dreams,” and “It Ain’t Over.” Performed in a variety of community plays such as, “Girls Who Considered Suicide when The Rainbow wasn’t Enough,” “Crowns,” performed at Illinois State University; “Bruised,” “Rapture I & II,” “A Raisin In the Sun,” and a host of other plays. Written and produced several plays for our community: Cultural Festival, Heartland College, NIOT, DCFS, Bloomington Girls Scott, and several churches in the community.

2009- Volunteer for Juvenile Services to help minority youth with prevention programs.

2009 – 2011 – Facilitator for Job Partnership Program; Working with ex-offenders on life skills.

2009 – Nominated for the Women of Distinction Award with the YWCA.

2008 – Present – Emcees/ for the Bloomington Normal Community for various community groups, such as, Cultural Fest, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Annual Juneteenth Celebration, NAACP (life member), March of Dimes, etc…

2007-Present – Assistant Youth Director of Orthodox Woodriver District Baptist Association, working with youth within the district in their personal and spiritual development.

2007-2010 Organizer and Director of the L.I.Z. Investment Club, working with children & youth 10-18 years old to learn how to invest with a zeal through methods of saving, investments, entrepreneurship and serving the community; Teaching youth to learn to let their money work for them instead of working hard for the money.

2005 – Recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award by the City of Bloomington, IL.

2004-2010 – Past Co-Director of the Mt. Pisgah Married Couple Ministry where assistance was provided to couples and families within local church and community in communications, relationships, and how to work together and help others through their example of their relationship.

2004 –2006 –   Helped to Implement and past coordinator of the Quality Clothes Closet at Mt. Pisgah

2002-2004 – Assisted family members whose rights were violated regarding issues of homelessness and individual parental rights. The coordinator of a volunteer group called the citizen quality assurance panel – developed a curriculum to help the community assist families with their rights regarding their children and the court system.

2000 – 2004 – Organizer and past director of the Mt. Pisgah Praise Dancers

July 1996 – Present – A member of Bloomington-Normal Not In Our Town (NIOT) movement for equality for all; A spokesperson for the NIOT National movement serving as their national youth coordinator. Assisted and coordinated several panel discussions with adults and youth over the years; currently volunteers with the Not In Our Schools program.

1995 – 2009 – A mentor of youth and an advisor to the youth at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Implemented a Back to Basic Workshop on Table Manners for Youth and concluded the workshop with a formal meal at a restaurant.

Willie is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. since 1995. She is a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church & has a Lifetime membership with NABCJ and NAACP.