Hundreds gathered on Aug. 23, circling the corner of 129th and Adam Clayton Powell to enter Salem United Methodist Church, to celebrate the life and legacy of Lloyd Williams. Ranging from family members, top elected officials, civil rights leaders, celebrities, co-workers, to regular community members, they all came together to share the impact he had in their lives, in Harlem and New York for more than 50 years.
Williams died from prostate cancer on Aug. 6. He is survived by his wife, Valorie Williams, his son Ade, along with his wife and grandson, Lenox.
Rev. Jacques DeGraff, a friend of Williams for more than 50 years and collaborator in the creation of what came to be known as Harlem Week, led a call and response to the packed pews at Salem of “Thank you, Lloyd Williams” and “We got this! ” He was one of more than a dozen other speakers who remembered Williams’ accomplishments for Harlem and the greater community.
Williams’s only child and son, Ade, spoke about how he and his father bonded while being different people. In discussing Harlem Week, one of the major legacies of Williams, he emphasized the importance of communal power, pointing out that they would not even need sponsorships if even just those attendees of the festival who could afford to, donated $10 a year.
“My father would want you to remember that we have power as individuals, and that we have power collectively,” Ade shared.
New York Attorney General Leticia James, who was asked to speak by Ade, and who also gave a rousing speech celebrating Williams during Harlem Day last week, referred to Williams as “The Renaissance Man.” In her remarks, she highlighted how Williams’s story as a child coming to this country, immersing himself in Harlem, embodies the spirit of immigrants.
“Let us always remember Lloyd’s history, and let us always recognize the struggles of immigrants who bring so much not only to our city and our state and to Harlem but to our country,” James said.
While acknowledging the success of his work revitalizing Harlem over the last 50 years, James also urged the community to stand firm against gentrification.
“It is clear that because of the work of Lloyd Williams and his colleagues, Harlem now thrives…In fact, everybody wants to move to Harlem. But I want you to hold on to your brownstones, hold on to Adam Clayton Powell, hold on to Malcolm X, hold on to all of the treasures of Harlem.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams spoke about Williams’ life of service and having always been nurturing to him and those he knew during times of vulnerability.
“Think about all the private conversations you had with him. Think about your fears and uncertainties. Think about the moments when you felt as though you could not go on, and he came there, he hugged you and held you, he grabbed both hands or your face and looked you deep in your eye and told you, ‘You’re gonna be alright,’” Adams shared. “I am the second Black mayor in the city of New York because of a Lloyd Williams.”
Performances from Vy Higginsen’s Sing Harlem Choir, singer Ms. Mavis Swan Poole, and hip hop legend Doug E. Fresh gave tribute to Williams.
Rev. Dennis Dillon provided the eulogy, and highlighted how Williams, along with fellow Harlem icons that passed this year, all died during serendipitous periods, former NAACP president Hazel Dukes during Women’s History Month, former U.S. Rep, Charlie Rangel during Memorial Day, and Williams during Harlem Week which went from Aug. 1-17, this year.
Civil rights leader, Rev. Al Sharpton, spoke of how Williams was a usual attendee during the National Action Network’s (NAN) Saturday’ Action Rallies at their headquarters on 145th St and Amsterdam Ave. He spoke to Williams’ legacy as a warrior for the Black community in Harlem and beyond.
“Lloyd was no punk. Lloyd was not afraid to stand up,” Sharpton shared. “We’ve got too many elected punks around here. We beat worse than Trump, we beat worse than anybody, we defeated the mob in this town. Lloyd Williams was a man who stood up and we’re not gonna sit down and let them desecrate us.
“We are not scared negroes, we are the children of Garvey and Malcolm and Adam Powell, you don’t know who we are,” Sharpton continued. “Lloyd, I promise you that we won’t let you down because you never let us down.”
Williams service was streamed live from Salem United Methodist Church. The entire service can be viewed below.
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