A native of Chicago and graduate of Temple University, Jesse Williams began his professional career teaching high school in low-income Philadelphia public charter schools. From there he moved to New York City and, after working at a law firm, began his professional acting career, performing off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre under the direction of award-winning playwright Edward Albee in "The Sandbox."

He portrayed Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC series "Grey's Anatomy" (2009–2021) and has appeared in the films The Cabin in the Woods (2012), The Butler (2013) and Band Aid (2017). He also provided voice acting and motion capture for Markus in "Detroit: Become Human" (2018). Williams executive produced the documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement.

Williams is founder of the production company, farWord Inc. and the executive producer of "Question Bridge: Black Males," a series of transmedia art installations, films, curriculum, and website focused on the black male identity and the diversity within the demographic. The exhibition was an official selection of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival New Frontiers and was exhibited in museums nationwide, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Williams gained international attention for his acceptance speech when presented with the 2016 BET Humanitarian Award as a champion of civil rights. He is also youngest member of the board of directors at The Advancement Project, a civil rights think tank and advocacy group.

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