Categories: William “Tony” Rogers,
In 1973 Hope R Stevens became the first Black president of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce (UCC). Percy Sutton recommended Lloyd Williams (godson to Malcolm X), a client of attorney Sutton to work with Hope.
I was the president of the Black Pre-Law Society at the City College of New York at the time. Haywood Burns was my faculty advisor. He was a “people’s lawyer” and the dean of the newly formed CUNY Law School. I met Haywood when I was at the Harlem Branch of the Black Panther Party when he learned that Attorney Sutton sent Lloyd Williams to work with Hope, Burns recommended me to be an intern in Hope’s office.
Hope made Lloyd the director for UCC and I was made the Deputy Director. When Hope died in 1982. Harlem Businessman Lloyd Dickens became the president of UCC. He appointed Lloyd to be the Executive Vice President, and I became the Executive Director of UCC.
When Lloyd Dickens died in 1988, The UCC board of directors appointed Lloyd Williams the President and CEO of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, I was appointed as the Executive Vice President.
HARLEM DAY was the first major program that was developed under the new leadership of UCC under the direction of then Manhattan Borough president Percy E. Sutton in 1974. The theme for the first HARLEM DAY was “The Beginning of the Second Harlem Renaissance.”
In 1979 under the leadership of Lloyd Williams who was also the president of LMR Resources, a strategic marketing company, the first Harlem Tour and Information Guide map was developed for UCC. . I was the Executive Vice president of LMR. At that time we were able to confirm after researching city records that the Greater Harlem Area was from 90th street to 169th street from river to river.
Shortly after the map was published and distributed throughout the world by the then New York City Convention and Visitors Borough, now NYC, the Harlem Tourism and Hospitality Industry truly began. The map showed the many historic landmarks, restaurants, institutions of higher learning, historic churches, and the places to go to experience the music and art of Harlem.
All of this was made possible because of the leadership and personal sacrifice of Lloyd A Williams, who died on August 5, 2025. We will truly miss him and his leadership. There will be a special tribute to Lloyd Williams on the Saint Nicholas stage at 135th street on 51st annual HARLEM DAY celebration of HARLEM WEEK on August 16th.
When history reflects on the many accomplishments made by the heroes during the Second Harlem Renaissance, Dr. Lloyd A. Williams will be at the top of the list. I am honored and have gratitude for the opportunity to have had a partnership that has lasted for over 60 years.
A special tribute will be given to Lloyd A. Williams at the August 14th Cultural Tourism Summit. The Summit will take place at the Harlem Renaissance Marriott hotel. The first segment of the summit will focus on a data demonstration of the Connect Harlem app. For the City Within A City Project.
The Connect Harlem App will be a continuation of the concept that Lloyd Williams provided. The leadership to help create the 1979 Greater Harlem Informational Map and Guide.
In 2025 the map and guide will be digital but like it’s 46-year-old predecessor it will be used as an economic development tool for the Harlem Tourism and Hospitality Industry and a tribute to the leadership of my friend, my brother my leader Dr. Lloyd Williams
