PRESS KIT

Roby Williams Street

Memphis, Tennessee

On November 16, 2021, the Memphis City Council approved the naming of South Lauderdale Street between Beale Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, to be declared "Roby Williams Street." This gesture is to honor Mr. Roby S. Williams, an impeccable example of a citizen deserving of the City’s recognition and gratitude.

A Memphis native and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Roby Williams attended LeMoyne-Owen College where he received a Bachelor's degree in History.

Upon graduation, Roby Williams heeded the call to establish a voice in the heart of the community in which he was reared, and began his career in banking, where he worked as the assistant to the Advertising Director and was named the first African American to work for the First Tennessee National Corporation.

During his professional career, amongst many leadership roles, Roby Williams previously served as a salesman for Broadcasting Networks, which included WDIA, K-97 FM, WREG News Channel 3 and WLMT UPN30; he later became a Mortgage Broker and financed new homes within the great City of Memphis.

During his tenure as a mortgage broker, Roby Williams paved the way for Memphians to fulfill their lifelong dream of home ownership.

Roby Williams became the President of the Black Business Association in October of 2002, where he was responsible for helping minority and women-owned businesses achieve success in their business operations.

Outside of his professional accolades, Roby Williams is known by many for his boastful speaking voice and innate ability to command the attention of any room he enters; he is an avid reader and a wealth of knowledge due to his strong belief in education which was instilled in him by his parents; he is a man of God and a great leader known for dedicating his life to the growth and needs of those in his community.

Roby Williams was one of the first to serve as a volunteer board member in the Black Business Association, during which he displayed unheard of fortitude by foregoing pay while the organization stabilized; he graciously volunteered his time and expertise to organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, Nexxus, Memphis Chamber, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, the Leadership Academy, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, Emerge Memphis, Lifeblood Mid-South Regional Blood Center; Roby Williams is also a proud member of Chi Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Roby Williams is one of Memphis's own trailblazers, he has impacted the lives of many minority and women business owners and increased the economic growth and opportunities of the City of Memphis.

Roby Williams continues his work in the community today through service and, though he is embarking on the new journey of retirement. Roby Williams's legacy will continue to live on amongst the Black Business Association, minority and women-owned businesses, and the entire City of Memphis.

Congratulations to Mr. Williams for receiving this very special honor.