William Pilkington, DPA, MPA, MA serves as Co-Director of the HOPE Program at North Carolina Central University, housed within the Julius Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI). The HOPE Program is a major academic and research initiative dedicated to reducing health disparities in underserved and rural communities through evidence-based public health interventions, strategic partnerships with public health departments and community organizations, and a rigorous focus on addressing the social determinants of health.

William brings more than 50 years of experience in public health to the Executive Leadership Council — a depth of expertise that spans research, policy, community engagement, and direct service delivery. His work is rooted in the communities he serves: he is actively engaged on the ground, providing direct services to address the racial health disparities that continue to widen across North Carolina and beyond.

To the ELC, William contributes both the institutional weight of HBCU-anchored research and the practical wisdom earned through decades of frontline public health work. His commitment is simple and enduring — ensure that the most underserved have access to the care, resources, and systemic change they deserve.