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Sunday, August 17th, was the final day of the 51st annual HARLEM WEEK celebration on 135th Street in Harlem. From Fifth Avenue to St. Nicholas Avenue, the crowds strolled, shopped, and enjoyed tasty delights from food trucks. Three stages offered Broadway artists and local talent throughout the day. The Harlem community was in high celebratory mode.
Unfortunately, the day ended with a torrential downfall of rain. Vendors scurried to secure their wares from the water, as the community stood silently under tents and on stoops.
Looking back on that moment, the rain appeared as a sudden expression of the sorrow felt at the loss of Lloyd Williams. Williams, who passed on August 6th, the President and CEO of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and Chair/Co-Founder of HARLEM WEEK would not walk the streets with his community comrades.
He was the architect of HARLEM WEEK, which started as a one-day event (HARLEM DAY) organized by the Honorable Percy E. Sutton in 1974 to create positivity in the community and promote the neighborhood’s rich history and culture during a time of economic and social challenges. HARLEM WEEK expanded into an 11 day globally recognized festival and is one of the largest summer events in the Northeast, affirming Harlem’s legacy and propelling its future growth.
A true Harlemite, raised on West 120th Street, between Lenox and Seventh Avenues, Williams served his beloved Harlem with untiring dedication and commitment. He oversaw decades of economic and civic growth in Harlem. The immersion of the values of community involvement and education were instilled in him from his grandmother at an early age to uplift people of color, which was the political principles of activist Marcus Garvey.
Under his leadership, GHCC has spearheaded efforts to address affordable housing, education, health equity, climate change and the digital divide.
Williams also held leadership positions and served on numerous boards including president of the Greater Harlem Housing Development Corporation (GHHDC), vice chairman of Harlem Arts Alliance, executive committee member of the NYC Tourism + Conventions Board of Directors, chairman of the President’s Executive Advisory Board at City College of New York, founding board member of the Apollo Theater, and executive board member of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. He was also a member of several organizations including the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge and a lifetime member of the NAACP and National Action Network.
On Saturday, August 23, one week following the culmination of the 2025 annual HARLEM WEEK, family, friends, community constituents, Harlem activists and public luminaries gathered to celebrate the life and community service of Lloyd Williams. The memorial service was held at Salem United Methodist Church on Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.
Officiated by Salem’s Pastor, Rev. Noel Chin, speakers included: Rev. Jacques DeGraff, minister for the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, NYC Mayor Eric Adams; President of the National Action Network, Rev. Al Sharpton; and NY Attorney General Letitia James.
Former New York State Representative Inez Dickens spoke and was joined by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg; NYS Assemblymember Rev. Al Taylor, former member of the NY State Assembly, Keith L. T. Wright; NY State Senator Cordell Cleare, Assemblyman 70th District Jordan Wright, City Councilman Yusef Salaam, City Council Member Gail Brewer, Adrienne Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council and others.
Doug E. Fresh performed the beats, vocalist Mavis Swan Poole provided jazz and Vy Higginsen’s Sing Harlem Choir brought gospel inspiration with a rendition of “Study War no More.”
There were several enlightening stories shared by close relations, including his son, L. Ade Williams. It was time to lean in and learn about the hopes and dreams that were at the heart of Lloyd Williams, from those who knew that he was always in a Harlem state of mind.
Williams often acknowledged Malcolm X as his unofficial godfather, who gave him early exposure to civic leadership and activism. He credited mentors including the late Charles B. Rangel, Hazel Dukes, Harry Belafonte, Percy E. Sutton, and Basil Paterson, and close friends including Voza Rivers, Attallah Shabazz, Inez Dickens, H. Carl McCall, and Ken Sunshine, who helped shape his worldview and lifelong commitment to Harlem, New York City and the “Harlems of the World.’
He received numerous community accolades and has been recognized as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential New Yorkers” by City and State New York, one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Black New Yorkers” by the New York Amsterdam News and one of the “Most Influential Black Professionals” by the New York Christian Times. Williams has also received ‘Front Page’ awards from New York Daily News, New York Carib News, the New York Christian Times, and the New York Beacon.
Rev. Dennis Dillon, Publisher of The Christian Times closed the service with a reminder of God’s plan, purby
pose and the profound words spoken by Jesus as written in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of thee my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Lloyd Williams will be remembered for his devotion to the upward development of Harlem. His good work is the epitome of having a dream and applying your entire being to make that dream come true. Walking the streets of Harlem, we can bear witness to the hope that Lloyd Williams had for Harlem, as we see the development he envisioned. R.I.P., man of valor. Well done, faithful servant. May your endeavors continue to bear fruit.
photos
Courtesy of
Leonard McKenzie
