City Of San Antonio: Memorial Service

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

October 21, 2021

CONTACT: Teresa Vásquez-Romero, (210) 207-8761
teresa.vasquez-romero@sanantonio.gov

San Antonio (Oct. 21, 2021) – San Antonio has lost an insightful and highly esteemed leader in the world of the arts. Ms. Jo Harolyn “Jo” Long Williams, musician, master gardener, visionary leader, community advocate, wife, sister, aunt, and friend passed peacefully on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at the age of 71.

Jo became the first executive director of the Carver Community Cultural Center in 1976…a position she remained in until 2000. Under her leadership throughout those two decades, the Carver Community Cultural Center became globally recognized as a leading cultural institution trademarked by Jo’s visionary multicultural programming and uncompromising commitment to equitable access for all. These hallmarks continue to be the guideposts by which the Carver carries on the work today.

Prior to coming to the Carver, Jo began her career at Southern Methodist University (where she had received her MFA in Music History) as founding director of the Community Center for the Arts Association from 1972 to 1976. Her legacy of service continued after her tenure at the Carver as well when she went on to serve as an administrator at the San Antonio College Christian Student Center.
The impact Jo Long Williams had in shaping the cultural landscape of our City and beyond cannot be overstated. Many have spoken of her visionary and transformative role as an arts administrator and advocate, of her supporting the early work and careers of so many artists, of bringing up a generation of cultural leaders and laying the framework for so many other cultural arts institutions to come into existence and thrive. Almost all have spoken of her fierce love of and commitment to community, representation, inclusion and equity. In the world of the arts, Jo Long is indeed legendary. However, this is just one aspect of her identity. She was also beloved by her family, circle of friends and faith community. Her life, legacy and loss are felt deeply by so many.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held in the theatre named in her honor at the Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry St., San Antonio, Texas 78202 on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Carver Community Cultural Center or Church of Christ Student Center.

Memorial Service:
Carver Community Cultural Center – Jo Long Theatre
226 N. Hackberry
Saturday, October 30, 2021
11 AM

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.