Dr. Landon Booklet

THE ESTATE The Estate of late Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr. would like to place his name in nomination as an Inductee for the African American museum that is planned for the State of Florida.

Dr. Williams, as he was affectionately known, was a renaissance man.

He effected changed through the turbulent era of our nation’s racial divide by being the youngest man in the International Longshoremen’s Association ever elected to hold the office as President of Locals 1408, 1408A and 1597 in 1960. Thereby, he participated in the labor movement during a time when the consciousness throughout America was awaken by the need for reform. From this position, he then became the International Vice President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District. He created long lasting change for the betterment of Longshoremen by negotiating contracts that would give the men a guaranteed wage, benefits as well as safer working conditions. For his efforts, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1969 awarded him the Outstanding Service in Labor and Community.

Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Williams has been awarded many accolades and awards to mark his civil affiliations and community involvement. Also, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree on May 6, 1988 in Biblical Studies from Luther Rice Seminary; on May 11, 1990, Dr. Williams received a Master of Arts degree in Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary and on August 14, 1992 he received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Covington Theological Seminary.

However, his professional experience is only one measure of who he was as a man and is complimented by his personal life. He was a husband to the late Rosalind Priscilla Williams, a father of five, grandfather, greatgrandfather and friend. More importantly, he was a man of God who served in the pulpit as minister for two churches: Greater Bethany Baptist Church and as Senior Pastor of Greater Macedonia Baptist of the Northside where he ended his ministerial duties by creating a legacy that still lives on. With the cooperation of Picerne Development, he built Rosalind Villas which is a state of the art apartment complex for those 55 years of age and older as well as those living with physical impairments.

Also, he formed Agape Community Healthcare System with the cooperation of Duval County Health Department. At present, Agape clinics has four satellite locations in every corner of the City in order to meet the needs of our citizenry regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information, please contact Michell D. Williams c/o Greater Macedonia Baptist Church 1880 West Edgewood Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32208 (904)735-0623 Email: aampex@bellsouth.net

Dear Members of the Selection Committee, As the Chief Executive Officer of Agape Community Health Center, Inc., I am writing to express my wholehearted support for the inclusion of Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr. in the State of Florida’s African American Museum. Dr. Williams has demonstrated exceptional vision, dedication, and commitment through his transformative work with Agape Community Health Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

As Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Williams in partnership with the Duval County Health Department established Agape as the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Jacksonville, FL serving all of Duval County with a mission to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare services to the most vulnerable residents. Under his seventeen years leadership Agape’s designation as an FQHC has moved from co- applicant to independent, allowing the center to expand its services and reach to more individuals in need.

Dr. Williams’ unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers to healthcare access has ensured that no individual or family is turned away due to inability to pay. Under his guidance, Agape has grown to operate multiple facilities, providing comprehensive primary care centers, a women’s health center, multiple pharmacies, and a community partnership school, serving a diverse population of more than 18,000 patients annually. A leader is defined as, a person who has commanding authority or influence, and whenever I think of this word Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr. comes to mind. Dr. Williams’ work with Agape is a shining example of his ability to sculpt a diamond from the rough, that has withstood the test of time and because of its’ longevity is now considered as a beacon hope as well as a place of refuge for those its’ serves. Thank you for considering this nomination. I am confident that Dr. Williams’ legacy will continue to inspire and uplift our community.

Respectfully submitted,

We, the membership and leaders of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church are proud to support the nomination of Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr.'s life and legacy as an inductee to the State of Florida's African American Museum.

Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr. was a pillar of this community who gave unselfishly of his time, as well as his resources, during his tenure as pastor. Our church was founded in 1914 and Dr. Williams was the seventh minister to serve as pastor, from 1976 until his passing in June 2021. Under Dr. Williams' leadership all of the debt was paid off and more importantly, the church grew four-fold. He established various ministries to attract those who were lost: a bus and van ministry was also formed to provide for the influx of new members. However, on November 25, 1990, the church moved from its' original location of 3333 Franklin Street to its present and new location, 1880 West Edgewood Avenue. For ten years he pastored this church without receiving a salary and while he was the pastor for this congregation, he worked to improve the lives for everyone within the City of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida through his formation of the Agape Community Development Corporation.

Through a joint venture with Picerne Development Corporation in January 2003, Dr. Landon Williams developed Rosalind Villas, a $13 million dollar senior living complex named after his deceased wife Rosalind Priscilla Williams and is located next door to the church. The project is a state of the art 120-unit apartment complex for senior citizens 55 years old and above, as well as those with physical impairments.

In 2004, Dr. Williams created Agape Community Health Care System in corporation with the Duval County Health Department and we are all the beneficiary of its' existence. During the year 2020, which was at the height of COVID and thereafter, Agape provided a response to include: both testing and the COVID vaccine upon request. At present, this health system has four (4) locations strategically located throughout Duval County in order to serve each corner of the community.

Finally, Dr. Williams is a published author. He chronicled his life experiences in the book, "The Boy From Jessie Street," in which he takes the reader on a journey from his childhood being reared by his single mother who was a laundry and domestic worker, to his pivotal rise as a labor leader who managed the docks along the South Atlantic ports, playing an important role within the International Longshoremen's Association.

Also, we believe that because Dr. Williams is also an educated man who has survived some of life's perils, that his story will be truly inspirational to those who know and learn about his accomplishments. We know the task of selecting candidates and exhibits as well as inductees for the museum maybe daunting; however, we cannot think of a better contribution to our legacy and history than Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr. Thank you for giving your full attention and careful consideration to our request. We await your response.

This letter is submitted...

Respectfully,

RESUME PERSONAL Marital Marital Status: Widower (five children) married to the late Rosalind P. Williams

AWARDS Edward Waters College Baseball Team, Award for Support and Spirituality, 2003-2004 Certificate of Appreciation, Rosalind Villas Residents, February 23, 2003

EDUCATION Doctorate of Ministry Degree: Covington Theological Seminary; Rossville, GA Master of Arts Degree: Luther Rice Bible College and Seminary; Jacksonville, FL Bachelor of Bible Studies Degree: Luther Rice Bible College and Seminary; Jacksonville, FL

Light bearer Award, Mary L. Singleton Senior Citizens Advisory Board, June 2001-2003 Award of Excellence, Eartha M. M. White, Community Outreach Leadership & Service, 2001 First Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 2001 Outstanding Support, Ribault Senior High School, 2000 Outstanding Leadership, WCGL Radio Station, 2000 Certificate of Appreciation, Florida African American Fellowship

WORK EXPERIENCE Chairman of the Board of the Agape Community Health Center-Joint Venture with Macedonia Agape Development Corporation and Picerne Development Corporation.

Pastor: February 1976-June 2021 Greater Macedonia Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Fl Founder and Chief Executive Officer: 1970-June 2021 Twin Consultants and Associates Pastor: January 1966-September 1972 Greater Bethany Baptist Church International Vice President, International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO 1972-1983 Regional Vice President, South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District, International Longshoremen’s Association, 1966-1983 Local President, International Longshoremen’s Association Locals 1408, 1408A and 1597 from 1960-1983 Projects (1) Agape Community Healthcare System (2) Rosalind Villas Apartment Complex: A $13 million project for senior living

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Phi Beta Sigma International Fraternity, Inc.

CIVIC AFFILIATIONS Member—General Council World Baptist Alliance Treasurer-Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education Honorable Mention: Who’s Who in American Labor Movement President-Jacksonville Chapter A. Philip Randolph Institute, 1968-1974 Board Member-Jacksonville Area Planning Board, 1969-1973

PUBLICATIONS “The Boy From Jessie Street” with Marsha Dean Phelts, Copyright 2008 Twin Consultant Associates; Mymax Publishing Corporation “Profile of Baptist and What We Believe As Christians” Complied by Landon L. Williams, Sr. Pastor, Copyright 1989

Contribution Award, Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center, Duval County Public Schools 1997 Legends Award, International Longshoremen’s Association, Local 1408, 1996 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, International Longshoremen’s, Local 1408 Appreciation Award for Outstanding Service to the Church Community, and the Lord—The African American Ministries Southern Baptist Convention, 1995 Award for Years of Dedication and Support, WCGL Radio Station, 1995 Community Service Award-A. Philip Randolph Institute, 1994 Appreciation/Outstanding Leadership Award During Years as President, Jacksonville ILA Retirees Association, 1993 Outstanding Achiever in Labor, Maceo Lodge Number 8, 1978 Outstanding Achievement, U. S. Military Traffic Management Command, 1977 Board Chairman for Leadership Excellence, Urban League, 1976-1977 Honored as Trade Unionist of the Year, A. Philip Randolph Institute 1976 First Annual Florida A. Philip Randolph Institute Honors Award, 1976 Outstanding Contribution, Florida A&M University Rattlers Booster Club, 1976 Outstanding Citizen Award, Dublin, Ireland 1975 Toastmaster of the Year, Toastmasters International, 1975 Outstanding Financial Contribution, Florida State National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 1974 Civic Leader of the Year, Edward Waters College, 1974 Leadership in Labor and Civil Rights, Jacksonville Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Committee, 1973 Pastor of the Year Award, West Friendship Baptist Church 1970 Outstanding Service in Labor and Community from the NAACP “Man of the Year” 1969.

The Greater Macedonia Baptist Church of the Northside was dedicated on November 25, 1990. The 1,200 seat auditorium and accessory uses to include a fellowship hall is a fixture on Edgewood Avenue West as it provides for the spiritual needs of those living within the Northwest Quadrant Community of Jacksonville, Florida.

Rosalind Villas Senior Apartments is immediately adjacent to Greater Macedonia Baptist Church of the Northside and was dedicated in January 2003. The facility is named after the late Rosalind Priscilla Williams, wife of the late Rev. Dr. Landon L. Williams, Sr. and it provides for the holistic as well as the emotional support of residents with the existence of common areas to include: a pool, workout facility, public computers, WIFI, and television room.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Union Hall, was built in the late 1960's and it provides for the administrative and meeting needs of the Locals 1408, 1408A and 1597. Before the hall was built, men would have to stand and wait primarily outdoors in the elements to transact business, which includes being hired. The union hall is located within the heart of a highly industrial and commercial district, and it is strategically located within close proximity to the Jacksonville Port Authority as well as interstate access. The building is still used today as the primary location for ILA business in Jacksonville, Florida.