Reverend Moses Williams, beloved Community Leader, Civil Rights Activist and Gospel Singer has served for over 55 years at Campbell AME Church, Washington, DC. He started there as a member in 1963, ordained as a minister in 1973, became an assistant pastor and he is still there today. 

Reverend Williams was born in New Orleans, LA in 1927.  He is one of nine children (5 boys and 4 girls) and he is very proud that one of his brothers, Silas Williams, was a Buffalo Soldier. 

He started off as a gospel singer at 10 years old singing in his New Orleans grade school. He traveled and performed with the Zion Travelers all over New Orleans, Mississippi, Texas and many other states. In 1950, he joined the military. He was in the Army for 2 years then relocated to Washington, DC and met and married Flossie Loretta Jean Leftwich (Williams) from Pennsylvania. They had 6 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His wife, Ms. Flossie Williams passed away in 1964. He loves his wife very dearly and prides himself about the fact that they never ever had an argument. Although he and his wife were not afforded a college education, they made sure that all six of their children received college degrees.

Reverend Williams served on the Washington, DC School Board twice in the early 1960s. During this time, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Washington DC and called Reverend Williams to take him to the school board. He had never met Dr. King before and does not know who gave Dr. King his phone number; but of course he was happy to arrange the visit.  Reverend Williams has always loved mentoring children and he had a few young guys with him. They were on a break and Reverend Williams was outside throwing a ball around with the young guys. Dr. King came over and asked Reverend Williams for a glass of water and the young guys were begging Reverend Williams to let them get the glass of water for Dr. King. Dr. King looked at Reverend Williams and said “You are the One”.

Reverend Williams marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in Washington, DC and down South. He served two terms with Washington DC Ward 8 City Council member Mrs. Wilhelmina Rolark, a longtime civil rights activist, lawyer, philanthropist and former four-term D.C. Council member. 

Reverend Williams knew Mr. Marion Barry very well and helped him with his political career.

Reverend Williams still loves singing and is working on recording on an album for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. right now. He is very proud of his album collection. He has all of his own gospel albums and all of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech albums still in his collection today.

His parents taught him that “Everybody is Somebody!” and he has been saying that quote all of his life and it rings loud still today. He says we still need to instill in all children that “Everybody is Somebody!” 

Although not in the organizing process every year, Reverend Williams helped start the Martin Luther King Jr. parade and has not missed a one yet. He passed the torch on to Mr. Stuart Anderson to organize and continue the legacy of this wonderful parade.

Reverend Moses Williams is Ward 8! Everybody is Somebody!