By Cheryl Smith
Publisher
To be recognized during your lifetime has to be a great feeling. If folks didn’t learn anything as a result of COVID-19, showing love and appreciation should have been on the list.
Sadly, however; so many missed the memo and there- fore grace is not in their vocabularies.
To Dr. E. Faye Williams’ credit, it didn’t take a pandemic for her to realize how precious life and friends are. She had a friend in Dick Gregory and while he is no longer here to be showered with love, when he was alive Mr. Gregory knew he had a friend in her.
And that is so important! Actually it is powerful.
And, Mr. Gregory said that information was power!
The author of several books, Dick Gregory was about sharing information. Get him talking and you were in for a treat, because it was like having your own personal lecturer.
Rapper and businessman Killer Mike said that when Mr. Gregory died, it was like an entire library burned down.
Which brings me to my truth.
Dr. Williams is also a library and she is continuing in the same mode as her long-time friend; by writing books, hosting and appearing on radio shows, speaking at lecturns to speak truth to power, and being a voice for the voiceless.
Her latest labor of love is: “Dick Gregory, Wake Up and Stay Woke: Running for Life.”
Believe me when I tell you, you need to read this book!
Much like Mr. Gregory, she candidly discusses issues and provides a history lesson for readers.
This is Black History!
And guess what?
Folks are going to be writing about Dr. Williams also.
Who is she?
She’s all that and more! The National President of the National Congress of Black Women, Dr. Williams is the president of the Dick Gregory Society and a board member of the World Conference of Mayors. She’s a former Professor of International Law at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She previously served as Chief of Staff for the late Mayor Marion Barry and she served President Barack Obama as a member of his Presidential Scholars Commission.
An ordained minister, Dr. Williams served as president of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association and she was inducted into The HistoryMakers and the Grambling State University Hall of Fame.
Armed with numerous degrees and certifications from Grambling, Howard USC, Univ. School of Law and City University of Los Angeles; as well as, Atlanta Law School, Univ. of Michigan, Pepperdine and George Washington universities.
A proud life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP, she was one of Mr. Gregory’s “running buddies.”
In her book, Dr. Williams talks about “the real Dick Gregory” who was so much more than his comedy or his fiery speeches. She met him in 1986 when she ran for Congress to represent her home state, Louisiana. She didn’t win the race but she was victorious as she walked away with a friend for life.
There’s so much to share about Mr. Gregory and Atty. Williams, but I’d rather you come out and meet her. Join me on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the African American Museum. Let’s join together in the spirit of staying woke.
BOOK SIGNING
WHAT: “Dick Gregory, Wake Up and Stay
Woke: Running for Life” WHO: Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
WHEN: Sunday, July 18, 2021 4-6 pm
WHERE: African American Museum, 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas
