Celebrating the life of Nelson Williams and honoring his contribution to the Wynnefield community and to Philadelphia youth.

WHEREAS, Nelson Williams was born on December 25, 1938 in North Carolina and relocated to Philadelphia at an early age. He was a product of the Philadelphia School System and served his country in the United States Navy; and

WHEREAS, While Nelson Williams was a painter by trade, he went onto become a prominent and beloved businessman. In the early 1970s, when it was rare for minority businesses to be established, Nelson Williams opened a drug store in the Wynnefield community; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Williams was the patriarch to his family and a pillar in the community. He also played a key role in conflict resolution as a peace keeper during a very turbulent period for neighborhood youth. Mr. Williams actively inserted himself into the neighborhood through both his firm commitment and as a source of employment to at risk youth; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Williams was the recipient of many prestigious awards; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Williams established a family owned business where all of his immediate family members were given the opportunity to hone their management skills and contribute to the success of the business in an era that witnessed a greater than 50% failure rate for African American businesses and this business continues to thrive after his death; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the life and the service of Mr. Nelson Williams to Wynnefield, in particular, and to the youth of Philadelphia in general, many of whom owe their success, in no small part, to their interaction with this great Philadelphian.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the surviving family as evidence of the sincere respect and appreciation of this legislative body.

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