The Reverend Dr. Sheldon E. Williams was born in Harlem. He graduated from Evander Childs High School in the Bronx. In 1978, he received his B.A. in Theatre Arts and Secondary Education from C.W. Post College in Greenvale, New York. There he pledged to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and he is still an active member.


Reverend Dr. Williams was raised in the Co-op City Baptist Church. There, he attended Sunday School and was baptized. As he matured in the Lord, he taught Sunday School and became a walking deacon. He was licensed to preach the gospel in October 1984. He received his Master of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary and became an ordained Baptist Minister in 1988. He also received the Who's Who Outstanding Young Men of America that same year.
From 1989 to 1992, he was an Associate Minister at Community Baptist Church in Jessup, Maryland. As an Associate Minister, he worked in various ministries, such as the prison ministry and Youth Ministry, and headed Vacation Bible School. These opportunities served as a period of growth and preparation for his pastoral ministry.

He became pastor at The Co-Op City Baptist Church in the Bronx on October 4, 1994. Shortly after, he received his Doctorate of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Williams has been blessed to serve on various executive boards, such as the NAACP Co-op City Branch and the Coalition of African American Churches and Community Organizations of Co-op City. He has received multiple awards locally and nationally from organizations such as the NAACP, the Retirees of Co-op City, Who's Who In Executives and Professionals for 2002-2003, and more. He has also received awards from political leaders, including former NYC Councilman Larry Seabrook, former NYC Councilman Fernando Cabrera, and former U.S. Congressman Joseph Crowley.

In September 2005, Dr. Williams started the Co-op City Inter-Generational Outreach Center, Inc., where he currently serves as the CEO.

Dr. Williams is the author of Principle-Centered Living: 9 Reasons To Maintain Your Values In A Pressure-Filled World. The book inspired a radio show, Principle-Centered Living Radio, on WMCA 570, which he co-hosted for several years.
He is the President and CEO of SEW Universal, LLC. Dr. Williams serves as the Chairman of the ministerial alliance for the National Black Church Initiative and serves as the President of the National Black Religious Broadcasters Online.
In 2019, he was blessed to minister throughout Africa and the West Indies.

Reverend Dr.Williams married our First Lady Marilyn Cecelia Williams in 1982, and they have one son, Sheldon Emery Williams Jr. They currently reside in Norwalk, Connecticut. Under Reverend Dr. Sheldon E. Williams's leadership, the Co-Op City Baptist Church has grown spiritually, financially, and in membership. His goal is to lead God's people through the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the 21st century. The Church has purchased a property and plans to build a new edifice.