NAN Celebrates Living Black History, Honoring Rev. Charles E. Williams, Sr.

Every day during Black History Month, we will honor chapter leaders, advocates, and partners who are shaping Black History now.

(February 24th, 2021) — Today we honor Rev. Charles E. Williams, Sr.

Social Justice and pursuit of equality for underserved populations continue to be driving forces behind Rev. Charles E. Williams Sr.’s work. Those who have come to know him can attest to his expression of care and compassion for his fellow man. Those who have known him sown through the years can remember the days of his youth when he proudly wore a dashiki and a big afro and greeted passerby with, “I’m black and I’m proud!” For a decade’s long commitment to social activism.

As a young man Rev. Williams was ordained by his uncle, the late Rev. C. L. Branch as a Junior Deacon of Christland Missionary Baptist Church on the Westside of Detroit. Under Rev. Branch leadership, Rev. Williams was nurtured and guided to understand the importance of a strong value system that embraces community. This early foundation led to Rev. Williams’s ordination in 1984 to preach the Gospel. In 2009, he was appointed Associate Pastor of the Historic King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit.

Rev. Williams is the seventh child born of ten siblings, is a devoted husband of forty years and the proud father of two children, and four grandchildren. Rev. Williams professional endeavors include employment with Ford Motor Company following high school, services in the United States Airforce, retired from the U.S. Postal Service, ownership of an art gallery in Birmingham, Al. He is a man who has always been on the over! His life journey is exemplary of a man on a mission.

Rev. Williams’s educational accomplishments include graduate of Northwestern High School, bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Wayne State University, and a master’s degree in Social Work also from Wayne State University. From his earliest existence until today, Rev. Williams hard work and dedication have not been compromised nor wavered, for he is one who is always willing, ready, and available to lead or to lend a helping hand.