If there’s one thing newly appointed Bartlett Alderwoman Monique Williams knows, it’s when to add some much-needed spice to the mix.

A good part of that recipe comes from her work as a chef and a restaurant owner. She now has added alderwoman to her resume becoming the first Black person to serve as an alderman in Bartlett.

Williams took the oath of office last Tuesday night. Picked from a dozen applicants, she replaces Alderman Bobby Simmons in Position 4. Simmons stepped aside because of ongoing health issues. Her first official meeting will be Sept. 12.

Monique Williams makes history as new Bartlett alderwoman

Williams acknowledges she was surprised at being selected. She waited until the last second to apply for the office after heavily weighing her decision.

“Did I think I was going to win or be appointed? No, I did not,” she said. “But I don’t step away from the challenge because I’m all about community, change and growth. I’m confident I can do the job. The opportunity to represent and make the board a little more diverse is just me trying to do my best for my community.”

Known locally as “Chef Mo,” Williams opened Biscuits & Jams at 5806 Stage Road in the historic Bartlett Station district in 2021.

“Bartlett is a great place to live, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to open up Biscuits & Jams here,” she said.

Economic growth will be one of the focal points in her new role. As an empty-nester, she wants to see more places in Bartlett similar to Loflin Yard in Memphis, where people can hang out and ultimately keep tax dollars within Bartlett instead of that money going to neighboring communities.

Bartlett board elects Monique Williams as new alderwoman

“I have a daughter in her 20s, and she would never think of living in Bartlett, even though it feels safe and it’s home, because she feels there is nothing here for her to do,” said Williams, who lives in the New Brunswick area of Bartlett.

Looking at growth in Lakeland, Arlington and Memphis, she feels Bartlett has been stagnant in certain areas. That contributes to people spending money in other cities, taking money away from Bartlett revenues. More destination businesses in the suburb will not only keep Bartlett residents in Bartlett but also bring revenues to the city.

Born and raised in Memphis. Williams attended Central High School and then Christian Brothers University. Her father served in the Navy and died from a service-related disease when she was 17. Her mother worked in financing and accounting for the health care industry and was chief financial officer for Brannon-McCullough Primary Health Care Center. 

Williams earned her master’s in health service administration from Central Michigan University and spent more than 25 years in the clinical research industry working for organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and GBT. She managed and oversaw national and global projects including the day-to-day operations, logistics, budgets, and third-party vendors. 

Today, in addition to running her restaurant, she is a senior consultant and principal equity partner with Unison Consulting Group.

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Her community involvement over the years has included helping with charitable donations for Toys for Tots and the Mid-South chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.

She was appointed to the Bartlett Station Commission earlier this year by Mayor David Parsons.

“Being a business owner in the Bartlett Station, she directly benefits from the success of what happens down there,” the mayor said. “We’re trying to promote the area for economic growth, and being an entrepreneur I wanted to make sure the small business voice was heard with somebody on that board.”

Parsons thinks the most important thing someone can bring in their service to the community is a lot of heart.

“First and foremost, it’s people who have a heart to see this city move forward, be successful and guard the quality of life everybody’s looking for. And I think Mrs. Williams demonstrates that,” Parsons said.

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He recognizes that as the city’s first Black alderperson, Williams opens a door for those in the community who might feel like their voices have not been heard.

Alderman David Reaves has gotten acquainted with Williams in the past couple of years. She is a regular at Side Porch Steakhouse, just a block down the street from her business. Reaves is co-owner of Side Porch.

“She’s incredibly down to earth. We’ve been able to spend a lot of time together talking about the future and about investments in Bartlett,” he said. “Not only is she invested but she has a vested interest in Bartlett. And she’s a person who’s looking for how to invest more in Bartlett just like we are.”

During the ice storm and a power outage last year, Williams even let Side Porch use her ovens to bake their well-regarded croutons.

“That’s the kind of team player she is,” Reaves said.

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Williams will serve in an interim capacity as alderwoman through the end of next year.

“I really believe that our words are powerful and when you send them out, things will return from that. I’m hoping that my voice will return action, changes,” she said. “I’m excited that I might be able to make people think differently by bringing things to the table that will grow our community and keep our adult children here.”

At this point, she does not know if she will run for the position in next year’s election.

“Honestly, I’m more concerned about today than tomorrow,” she said. “I live my life with the attitude that I want to do more good than harm. When I leave this Earth, I just want to be remembered as someone who tried their best and tried to spread as much love as possible.”