Jan. 13, 1943 – May 20, 2018
With heavy hearts the family of Charlene “DeCharlene” Williams announced the passing of this phenomenal woman, business leader and Trailblazer! Williams, who was the founding President and CEO of the Central Area Chamber of Commerce, was the owner of DeCharlene’s Beauty Shop & Boutique; and Barber College.
A cherished mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin, Civil Rights leader, philanthropist, founder, visionary, writer, and community icon, Williams was most known for her work in commerce and small business development and friend to many.
Born in Temple, Texas, she moved to Portland at the age of 2. She moved to Seattle with her husband when she was 15, and began her career as a hairdresser in 1961 after graduating from Edwards Beauty School. In 1965, at the age of 22, she opened her first salon on 25th and Union.
For 50 years, Williams worked for business opportunities and economic development for women and people of color.
She was a visionary ahead of her time.
She said, “Since four years old I always wanted a business, I wanted to be a dress designer, I cut up my mother’s lace tablecloth, put feathers on it; My Mom, she was mad at me, then she looked at me and said, ‘That’s pretty though, who showed you that?’ I said, “I showed myself.”
When DeCharlene was looking to buy a building to run her small business out of, she was denied loans by 30 different banks. She was trying to purchase her property during a time when property was not sold to women, especially women of color.
She convinced a banker to use only her first initial instead of her full name on the loan application, so they would not know that she was a woman.
In 1968, she purchased the one-story brick building at 2108 East Madison Street in the Central District; she remodeled the building and opened up shop, at one point employing 13 women.
Williams said, “I bought [the building] to help a lot of the Black women get off their knees. Because they were doing day work cleaning up White women’s homes and all that, and they were getting a raw deal; and so I opened up this shop here to give them a chance.”
“People used to try to run over me, because I was a Black woman, and small-statured. And they try to push you around, push down. I’d never push down, I’d fight them…I’m a good fighter,” she was quoted as saying.
Fifty years later, her businesses (DeCharlene’s Beauty Shop and Boutique, DeCharlene’s Beauty College, as well as the Central Area Chamber of Commerce office) appear to be about all that is left of what used to be the center of Seattle’s Black economy and communityalong the East Madison corridor.
In the 1980’s, Williams served as a member of Mayor Charles Royer’s Small Business Task Force where she learned of the 30-year gentrification plan for the Central Area., a process of renovation of deteriorated urban neighborhoods by means of the influx of more affluent residents,
She founded the Central Area Chamber of Commerce to help Black businesses seek solutions to common problems, such as being denied the opportunity of loans that could have helped them restore their buildings and grow their businesses.
It was her passion to help minority business development and support minority businesses and she worked hard to teach her community the importance of being involved in city development.
One of William’s primary focuses around economic and community development is what she called “micro-businesses,” typically understood as enterprises with five or fewer employees, or in some cases, no employees other than self-employed owners.
“Hands that Touch Builds Unity” was her motto. She wanted to bring the Black Community together to create economic independence.
Some of her accomplishments were:
- Wrote two short books on the Central Area’s history, one in 1990 and the second in 1996
- Published a business directory
- Published a calendar of community events
- Ran for Seattle City Mayor in 1993
- Ran for Seattle City Council in 1997
- Co-founder of the Central Area Youth Association (C.A.Y.A.)
- Helped to start Seattle Medic One in 1969 (a service that saves lives with pre-hospital care)
- And many, many more
Williams is survived by her son, Anthony Lee “Tony” Williams – Spokane; daughter, Rita Green (Lorenzo) – Seattle; and siblings: Darlene Beck, Mae Jewel Roberts, Gloria Jean Roberts – Union Park, Florida; Lester Roberts (Beverly), Shawn Marie Williams and Sherri “Nikki” Brown-Davis (Marcus). Seven grandchildren – Anthony Williams, Jr., Michael Williams, Brittany Green – Baton Rouge, LA; Crystal Williams, Robert Williams, Marcus Williams, Lorenzo Green, Jr., a host of family and friends.
Viewing and Memorial: June 1 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at South Side Church of Christ – 122000 59thAve So, Seattle, WA 98178. (206) 725-2780.
Homegoing Services: June 2 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church – 1634 19th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122. (206) 322-6500.
Repass Celebration: June 2 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at The Royal Esquire Club – 5016 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118. (206) 723-2811
The family of DeCharlene Williams is asking members of the community to send memorable pictures that they’d like to be include in Williams’ slideshow to: DeCharlene206@gmail.com
DeCharlene wants everyone to celebrate her life. Be sure to wear your finest hat if you have one!
