Epsilon Phi Chapter

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Nathaniel Doud Williams

Nathaniel Doud Williams - Educator, Journalist, Showman, Disc Jockey, Unofficial Ambassador of Beale Street - was born on Beale Street (the heart of the Black ghetto) in Memphis, Tennessee on October 19, 1907. He was the son of Albert and Hattie Williams and the grandson of former slaves who shared their past experiences with him. Those former slaves taught Nathaniel from their experiences and the Bible.

Brother Williams attended the old Kortrecth School during the days when there was only one school for Blacks in Memphis. He matriculated at Tennessee A & I State University (now Tennessee State University) in Nashville where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He also received credits from Fisk University in Nashville, Memphis State University (now University Of Memphis), Southwestern (now Rhodes) in Memphis, New York University and Howard University in Washington D.C .

Brother Williams often described himself as a Beale Streeter by birth, rearing and inclination. He often recalled that as a boy he once ran errands for W. C. Handy. As a man who loved Beale Street as much as anything and knew more about it than just about anyone else, Brother Williams wrote harshly of those who down-graded the area. "The folks have long since accepted the view that Chocolate Avenue is a place which is owned by imported Jews and Italians, policed by poor white trash and enjoyed by cotton-patch Negroes.' That's not the real Beale Streeter's point of view, of course, but it's what a lot of folks say and think."

About Beale Street's recent rebirth, Brother Williams said, "It was a nice idea but Beale Street had died and haints (ghosts) were walking about like they were natural things."

Brother Williams knew Beale Street like the palm of his hand; and he was happy passing on some of his knowledge. He would point out the old Minute Cafe, which specialized in soft shell crabs, peanuts and beer; and then would comment that most whites did not understand why Negroes liked food such as hog feet, blackeye peas, and "chitlins." They ate it because they had to have something which was strength-giving and cheap. He explained many Negro slang terms such as "early bright" for morning and "dirty dozens," a game of insults which frequently ended in fights.

As a master of Ceremonies for Amateur Nights programs at the fabled Palace Theater on Beale Street, Brother Williams offered a helping hand to many struggling young entertainers such as B. B. King. Brother Williams even helped introduce a teenager named Elvis Presley to Black music.

Perhaps more than anything else, as Beale Street's Unofficial Ambassador, Brother Williams surpassed even the immortal W. C. Handy in making Beale Street known around the world as the Home of the Blues and the Main Street of Black America. Brother Williams always reflected that "come what may there will always be a Beale Street because Beale Street is a symbol - Beale Street is a way of life - Beale Street is a hope."

As a History teacher for forty three years at Booker T. Washington High School, Memphis Tennessee, Brother Williams touched and helped to mold many lives. He taught such luminaries as Brother Benjamin Hooks, NAACP Executive Director, and Marion Barry, Mayor of Washington D.C. Brother Williams' work was so outstanding that his principal, the late Blair T. Hunt, acclaimed him as the "Black Genius of the Mid-South."

Brother Williams was distinguished by his emphasis on what he called at one time "the bootlegging of Black History" in the Memphis Schools. today Black History is a vital part of the Memphis City and Shelby County Schools' curricula. Brother Williams was regarded as an authority on the subject, particularly the history of the Beale Street area of Memphis. Until his health failed him, he served as a consultant on the organization and conduct of teacher seminars and how to teach Black History in the public schools of the Memphis area and the Mid-south. He event taught such courses at Memphis State University and Southwestern (Rhodes) during their summer programs.

As a disc jockey (one who adroitly blended Memphis history sketches into his music programs on WDIA radio), Brother Williams was instrumental in the fusion of musical styles that produced the "Memphis Sound" and in helping build bridges of understanding between the races. Joining WDIA in 1948, Brother Williams pioneered broadcasting of Black music in the Mid-South. He was called the South's first Black disc jockey. Because of Brother Williams' immediate success at the microphone, WDIA became the Nation's first full-time Black oriented radio station. Some of his co-workers at the station included B. B. King, singer Rufus Thomas and gospel singer Theo Wade. During his ninety second program called simply "Nat D. Williams," this popular 'radio man (Brother Williams ranged his materials to treat ideas from Beale Street to classical music, as well as discussions of outstanding events and personalities in Memphis history.

As a journalist with the Tri-State Defender, the defunct Memphis World, the old Pittsburgh Courier and the Chicago Defender, Brother Williams was listed as one of the best-known Black newspapermen in the country. He was editor and columnist for the old Memphis World for about thirty years. His "Down on Beale" column always focused on and championed his beloved Beale Street and Black dignity. Often he said, "I'm Black, Jack, Black as a hundred midnights in a cypress swamp. But may I remind you, I ain't mad about it. The Black I've got is all right with me. It hasn't cost me a dime. I pay only for my ignorance, not my blackness." Brother Williams spent several months of his writing focusing the news from Washington, as he was one of a staff of specially recruited volunteer newsmen who handled the news of the $15,000,000,000 Third War Loan Drive, opening September 9, 1943. During this time Brother Williams was on leave from Booker T. Washington High School where he taught History. His appointment to permanency on the Memphis World was partly due to his work in helping put over the War Drive among Memphis Negroes. Thus this newspaper columnist (Brother Williams), who championed Black pride and dignity, preceded by thirty or more years the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960'S.

Brother Williams worked many long and hard hours giving his priceless time and knowledge which was evidenced by a citation presented to him by the United States Department of the Treasury for his part as a communicator during World War II. Also among his accomplishments he helped established the Cotton Makers Jubilee, celebrated as a part of the Memphis Cotton Carnival. He gave the event its name.

Entertaining, newspaper writing, teaching and working with civic groups and projects were just a few of the things that were close to Brother Williams. One of the most creative citizens ever produced by Memphis, he more than a few times remained in the background giving others credit for the things he had done. He was certainly a ghost writer for many teachers, principals, ministers, businessman and politicians. He was married and surrounded himself with a very lovely family.

Brother Nathaniel Doud Williams entered the Sacred Halls of Omega through Alpha Chapter at Howard University. For more than five years he was Editor to the Oracle, the official organ of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.