August 6, 2025
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem mourns the loss of one of its founding members and most loyal friends, Lloyd Williams. Even before the museum took its final form in the early 2000s, Mr. Williams was a vital force, working hand in glove with our founder, Leonard Garment, and Representative Charles Rangel, in making a long-standing dream a reality.
On top of being our longest serving board member, Mr. Williams‘s imprimatur for the Museum’s endeavors, from the smallest efforts to the greatest, ensured a veritable flood of support. As recently as just a few weeks ago, he was actively engaged with our board and staff in fashioning many different aspects of support for the Museum’s programming.
The term of “a force of nature” is all too commonly used, but anyone who encountered the sheer force of Mr. William‘s advocacy will know that it applies truly to him. In addition to his impactful work with the Museum, Williams served for many years as President and CEO of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, where his leadership shaped advocacy in economic development, culture, health, education, and technology throughout Harlem and New York City. He was also a co-founder of the legendary Harlem Week festival.
You can read more about Mr. Williams life and impact HERE.
May his memory be a blessing.