Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuri Williams.
Hi Yuri, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Here’s my story, short and real:
I grew up in South Central Los Angeles, raised by my mom, Lynda C. Hubbard my superhero. When cancer took her, I fell into a five-year depression. In 2009, to honor her love for people, I started AFutureSuperhero & Friends (AFSH). It began simple: visiting seniors, dropping off meals and hygiene kits to our unhoused neighbors, and showing up for kids who were sick or living with disabilities and special needs. The mission was—and still is—love in action.
To make hard days a little lighter, I put on costumes Spider-Man, Deadpool, The Santalorian (my Santa-meets-Mandalorian), Miles Morales, even the 49erlorian and discovered that a mask could open doors a thousand words couldn’t. Kids smiled, parents exhaled, and communities leaned in. I teamed up often with my brother in service, Rodney Smith Jr., and we hit the road.
What started on L.A. blocks turned into 50-state tours—six times. We’ve criss-crossed the country delivering toys, books, backpacks, shoes, meals, and hope to hospitals, homes, shelters, schools, fire stations, and VA centers. Along the way we added beach and street cleanups, recycling days, literacy visits, and art-healing workshops. Incredible people joined us—like Rosemarie, who has hand-made 2,000+ scarves we’ve given to veterans, kids, and families.
The work drew national attention from Good Morning America, CNN Heroes, and more giving us a bigger microphone to serve. I wrote a children’s book, My Dad Is a Real Superhero, to spark reading and remind kids that kindness is a superpower. I stepped behind the camera too directing pieces like “Hope for the Holidays” and developing “Man Behind the Mask,” a documentary about my journey from grief to purpose.
Today, AFSH has served well over 20,000 people since 2009—seniors, veterans, kids battling life-threatening illnesses, families in crisis, and our unhoused neighbors. We partner with schools, hospitals, teams, and local businesses; we host backpack drives, turkey & toy giveaways, and year-round outreach. I’m a proud #GirlDad to my daughter , who keeps my “why” front and center.
Right now, I’m finishing the last two states of our 6th 50-state tour before Christmas—still showing up in costume, still carrying my mom’s spirit, and still believing that small acts, done consistently, change lives. That’s how I started. That’s how I got here. And that’s where we’re going one visit, one smile, one act of love at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road.
One of the hardest challenges I’ve faced since starting AFutureSuperhero And Friends has been keeping donations and support consistent. Most people see the highlights me dressed as Deadpool or The Mandalorian visiting kids, or traveling across the country, but what they don’t always see are the sleepless nights figuring out how to fund gas, hotels, food, costumes, and supplies for every event.
There have been times when I’ve used my own paycheck to cover the costs of outreach, or when I’ve driven thousands of miles just to make sure one child didn’t feel forgotten. Getting sponsors and donors to believe in a grassroots mission isn’t easy especially when you’re competing for attention with larger, well-funded organizations.
Another challenge has been doing so much on my own planning, driving, packing, serving, and storytelling. There’s no big team behind me, just heart, faith, and the community that steps up when they can. But every obstacle has made me stronger and more resourceful. I learned to keep pushing forward even when support is low because I know the impact firsthand.
At the end of the day, seeing a child smile, a veteran feel appreciated, or a senior light up makes all the struggle worth it. That’s what keeps me going—even when the road gets tough.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Nonprofit
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Join us at events — backpack drives, beach cleanups, hospital visits, senior center activities, and holiday giveaways. Whether you help serve food, pass out toys, or just show up in costume to bring smiles, every hand helps.
Financial donations keep the mission moving — helping us cover travel, food, hygiene kits, gas, and supplies for children, veterans, seniors, and the houseless. You can donate directly through www.AFutureSuperHero.org or sponsor specific programs like literacy events, art-healing workshops, or our 50-state tours..
Businesses, brands, and community organizations can partner with us by:
• Providing in-kind donations (food, clothing, hygiene kits, toys, art supplies, etc.)
• Sponsoring tours, events, or film projects
• Featuring AFSH in marketing or community outreach campaigns to amplify the message
• Book readings of My Dad Is a Real Superhero
• Character visits for kids with disabilities, special needs, or life-threatening illnesses
• Community service days promoting kindness, recycling, and environmental awareness
Sharing our posts, stories, and videos on social media helps more than people realize. Each share, tag, and comment brings visibility to the mission and attracts new volunteers, donors, and sponsors.
At the heart of everything, we’re just trying to bring hope, love, and light to those who need it most. Anyone who wants to be part of that—whether through time, donations, or partnership—is welcome to join the superhero family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AFutureSuperHero.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afuturesuperhero/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuri.williams.9041083
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuri-williams-3614221aa
- Twitter: https://x.com/afuturesuprhero/status/1952024885477437446?s=46&t=J9sb72dcTdl5GXD74RZntg
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/5xlfbXWd9FY
Image Credits
Jaedyn Williams
