William E. Morris is a disabled veteran self-advocate born with Cerebral Palsy and the visionary force behind disability rights advocacy in Arkansas. As President of NextGen Advocacy Arkansas, William continues a legacy of service that began in February 2015 with the founding of The Morris Youth Foundation.

Leadership and Organizational Development

William E. Morris served as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of The Morris Youth Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy organization established in 2015. Under his leadership, the foundation has been dedicated to advancing youth education and bridging the gap for communities residing in remote areas.

For nearly a decade, The Morris Youth Foundation worked to support young people with disabilities through education, mentorship, and leadership development. In 2025, the organization was rebranded to become NextGen Advocacy Arkansas—a new chapter with a broader focus: empowering advocates of all ages and abilities to lead the next generation of disability rights in Arkansas.

With an extensive tenure of over two decades in the non-profit realm, William has built a career on extensive expertise in organizational management, policy, and program development.

Advocacy and Public Service

Growing up in Arkansas, William discovered a passion for advocacy and service, inspired by his own experiences navigating the healthcare system and witnessing the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities in his community. As a young leader, he became deeply involved with his local Easterseals affiliate in Arkansas, where he tirelessly advocated for improved disability services and greater accessibility for all.

Beyond his work with NextGen Advocacy Arkansas, William serves in several key leadership roles:

• Director and Chair of the Advocacy Corps Committee: William leads and chairs PASSE’s Empower Healthcare Solutions’ self-advocate committee known as the Advocacy Corp Committee, a subcommittee of Empower’s Consumer Advocacy Council.

• Consumer Advisory Council Member: William is a sitting member of the consumer advisory council of one of the PASSE organizations, where he leverages his firsthand experience and expertise to inform policy decisions and advocate for the needs of individuals with disabilities within the healthcare system.

• Metro Mobility Council Member: William sits as a member of the Rock Region Metro’s Mobility Advisory Council, where he offers his expertise in daily transportation for people with disabilities and working to expand the company’s reach beyond the Little Rock-North Little Rock service area.

Community Engagement

Throughout his career, Morris has epitomized his altruistic spirit through active engagement as a volunteer and community leader. His profound impact has been felt through collaborative efforts with various non-profit entities, aimed at enhancing services and programs catering to individuals with disabilities. Morris’s unwavering dedication extends beyond professional realms, as evidenced by his longstanding involvement in the local church community and steadfast support for diverse organizations and businesses across Little Rock.

Mission and Vision

As Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Morris embodies a profound commitment to leveraging his personal challenges as opportunities for growth, aiming to empower others facing similar circumstances. William’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Driven by a deep sense of purpose and a steadfast commitment to justice, William Morris is a trailblazer, a changemaker, and a beacon of hope for individuals with disabilities across Arkansas.