O Street Museum Foundation

Willis Edwards

Since the late 1960's, Willis Edwards has been doing what he can from where he is -- which has always been an unassuming Hollywood apartment. Few of his friends have been inside, and they'll all tell you -- as he will -- that Edwards is an extremely private person. But his resume on social and political issues is an open book. In fact, he's something of a political Zelig: There's his work with the NAACP, which includes having founded the NAACP Image Awards, and his work with the Minority AIDS Project. He has worked for and with Nelson Mandela and Mrs. Rosa Parks, and has helped elect more African American politicians than one would think possible. Yet he doesn't see color, only heart, and has helped so many people attain their dreams, that whenever there is a news story of hope, he is there.

Mr. Willis is Vice President of Development and Planning for the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute in Detroit, and is a board member of: the Rosa Parks Museum and Library in Montgomery Alabama,The Tom and Ethel Bradley Foundation for Intentional Civility and the NAACP. He also wrote and co-produced the critically acclaimed film, The Rosa Parks Story, which starred Angela Basset.

Mr. Willis is not a paid employee for anything he has done. Simply an active volunteer that gets things done. How does he live, pay for his bills? Through the grace of God, and through the largesse of friends who are never asked for anything, simply give, because they know they are in the presence of the blessed, when around him.

Mr. Willis received the Bronze Star while serving 14 months in Vietnam.