Speaking & recorded conversations
eli is a storyteller who brings the perspective of a veteran, community leader, and artist to conversations about service, meaningful labor, and the responsibilities to the communities that need your service. Explore how the audience connects with his story of community care.
- NPR · David Schaper · radio report · 7:10
Chicago’s Silent Watchmen Guard School RouteDavid Schaper reports on the people watching over Chicago students on their routes to school. The report includes eli’s comments on veterans’ continued service through Leave No Veteran Behind and the connection between employment and neighborhood safety.
- USO Illinois · video · 2:03
Home & Away — eli williamsonUSO Illinois features eli in its Home & Away program, presented in partnership with Boeing.
- Storyteller talk · video · 6:49
Can You See the Existential Threats? — Got Your 6A Got Your 6 Storytellers presentation featuring williamson and his work with veterans.
- William James College · press release
Hiring and mentoring veterans: panel announcementCollege announcement: William James College names eli, in his McCormick role, as a panelist on employer opportunities for returning veterans. The panel was scheduled for November 17; date shown is the announcement.
- Radio interview excerpt
NPR — Veterans and meaningful workwilliamson discusses veteran unemployment and underemployment in a reported audio segment.
Luther College Alumni — eli williamson ’02 — Communication Studies
Luther College’s alumni profile connects eli’s education with his commitment to service.
Meet the Hard-Working Veterans Offering a Safe Passage to Chicago Youth
NationSwell’s feature follows Leave No Veteran Behind’s work helping Chicago students travel safely to and from school.
An Army of One, A Community for All
NationSwell · video profile
After returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, eli saw a connection between veterans rebuilding civilian lives and young Chicagoans navigating violence with limited support. The HuffPost feature follows how he and Roy Sartin built Leave No Veteran Behind around educational debt relief, transitional employment, and youth programs—including S.T.E.A.M. Corps. At its heart is eli’s belief that veterans can continue serving by helping their communities imagine and build a stronger future.
Letter to My Sophomore Self
A personal reflection shared by eli williamson.
- Community remarks · video
Windsor Park community hub ribbon cuttingCambium Networks identifies williamson speaking about community connectivity and partnership.
Linked from Cambium Networks’ February 10, 2018 article; the exact filming date is not confirmed.
- Public hearing panel · audio · 1:47:50 total
National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service — Pathways to EmploymentFull recording of the Kennedy-King College hearing. williamson is listed as a panelist; the link opens the complete event rather than an isolated speech.
- Veterans Day panel · audio
America’s Heroes Group — Veterans Day Celebrationwilliamson is named among the panelists; the episode is a group conversation.
The full episode opens on the audio publisher’s page.
- Conference remarks · NPR audio
Black veterans’ empowerment conferenceNPR includes his recorded comments on racial disparities in veterans’ benefits.
- Commencement address · video · 14:02
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology — Commencementwilliamson addresses the 2023 graduating class in Chicago. The video description also notes his honorary Doctor of Humanities.
- WGN Radio · Dane Neal · interview · 6:54
Veteran Voices: eli williamson brings the National Veterans Rodeo & Resource Fair to Chicagoeli joins Dane Neal to discuss the National Veterans Rodeo & Resource Fair and LNVB’s role in connecting veterans with earned benefits and community support. The conversation introduces the 2025 Chicago event’s combination of celebration, resource providers, and VA service navigation.