DeCharlene Williams

DeCharlene Williams (January 13, 1943—May 20, 2018) was an African-American business owner, community leader, activist, author, and political candidate in Seattle. She is the founder of the Central Area Chamber of Commerce, a group that focused on the common challenges facing Black business owners in the late twentieth century. She ran for Mayor of Seattle in 1993 and a Seattle City Council seat in 1997.

Personal life Williams was born in Temple, Texas and her family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1945 where she was raised. Copies of the book are available at the Seattle Public Library

Beauty Salon Business Williams opened her first beauty salon at age 22 shortly after her divorce on the corner of 25th Ave and Union St in the heart of Seattle's historically Black Central District in 1965. In the 1960s, it was difficult and rare for a single woman to be able to purchase property and especially so for women of color. The organization was run out of the same brick building that is home to Williams' salon business. Williams attributed the departure of Black businesses to rising rents, and believed that property ownership was a major contributor to her long-lasting success. Williams' daughter Rita Green donated the DeCharlene Williams Legacy Collection to the Black Heritage Society of Washington State, Seattle, WA. The collection contains photographs, documents, ephemera, and film that are held in public trust.

Posthumous legacy of the salon Following her death the salon is owned an operated by Williams' daughter Rita Green and her niece and granddaughter are head stylists.

Activism and Political campaigns In 1965 Williams founded the Central Area Youth Association. Williams was particularly enthusiastic about Juneteenth because she was a descendent of Texan slaves. Williams lost in the primary.

In 1997, Williams ran for city council.

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