Founder of South L.A. clergy training group dies



Reverend Eugene Williams, leader and Executive Director of the Regional Congregations and Neighborhood Organizations Training Center (RCNO) has died, the RCNO announced in a press release on Monday.

imageRev. Eugene Williams, 1960 – 2012.
Photo courtesy of The Durfee Foundation.

On Friday, March 16, Williams died at St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood due to complications from lung cancer, Reverend Richard Byrd, President and Chair of RCNO’s Board of Directors said in the press release.

According to their website, RCNO “instructs clergy and lay persons in the art of community organizing, public policy formation and program development.”

Williams founded this organization in 1987 in Philadelphia but brought it to South L.A. in the early 1990’s. He served in the ministry for over 25 years.

In 1994, Williams led 17 member-churches for L.A. Metropolitan Churches (LAM). LAM now includes 40 churches in its network.

Today, RCNO has over twenty national affiliates. This network collaborates through conferences and mentorships to “build the capacity of clergy and lay leaders,” especially in urban and low-income African American communities.

At Williams’ family’s request, in lieu of flowers or food, they ask that monetary tax-deductible donations be made to RCNO. The Center intends to make Eugene Williams III – Change Maker Legacy Fund “to maintain support for his important work.”