Episode 49 No Laughing Matter with Cuba Pete w Wendell P. Williams

Wendell P Williams was born in Saint Joseph Louisiana and received both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Southern University at Baton Rouge LouisianaAfter locating to Las Vegas Nevada, he worked as a classroom teacher and community organizer. His work in education earned him the Crystal Apple Award and among other things the highest award from the National Education Association as well as the MaryMcCloud Bethune Award from the NAACPIn 1987 he was elected to the Nevada Legislature becoming the first teacher in Nevada history to serve in that body. In his freshman term he introduced and passed two paid state holidays, FAMILY DAY and the Dr Martin Luther King state Holiday. Among dozens of countless bills, he authored legislation to rebuild all schools in Las Vegas that were built before 1970.

During his 18 years in the Nevada legislature, he served as chairman of theEducation Committee and Judiciary Committee. He later became the first AfricanAmerican to serve as Speaker of the House.His work in the community includes membership in the Masons, the Order of the Elks theOmega Psi Phi Fraternity among a few. He was a columnist for the Las Vegas SentinelVoice Newspaper and was the founder of Power 88 Radio’s first community affairs talkshow.His community work resulted in the Clark County School District in 2002 opening the first2 story elementary school in the state in his honor “Wendell Phillips Williams ElementarySchool” in his honor. And in 2004 the City of Las Vegas dedicated Wendell Williams Way anew street in his honor. And among his other awards in 2025 President Joseph Biden presented him with the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SERVICE.1n December of 1981, Williams founded the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Committee of LasVegas as well as the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Parade. Starting with just 13 Entries the Parade has grown to what is considered the largest King Parade in America. And the celebration spans over 10 days with a mart summit that attracts up to 1000 students and the scholarship gala has helped countless students attain higher education over 40 years.The organization was successful among other things changing the former Highland Blvd to what’s now Martin Luther King Blvd. and the opening of Martin Luther ElementarySchool.However, Mr. Williams feels that his greatest achievement in life in his life was convincing former Jet Magazine Beauty of the Week, Zelda Pur ear to become Mrs. Wendell P Williams.