Williams, who represented districts in West Philadelphia as a state Rep. and state Senator, was consistent only in his support of his people. Everything else was negotiable.
It was transactional politics. It worked well for the people he served, not so much for the Democratic Party. Williams and other founders of the Black Political Forum wore the party label loosely if at all, and only when it suited their purposes.
He started his career in elective office in the '60s by defeating a party-backed candidate for ward leader. But, in the years since, he has helped to elect Democrats, Republicans and independents alike.
He doesn't remember much of that now. His memory is being wiped clean by the ravages of a form of dementia. But, tonight is for those of us who can never forget what that movement meant.
As a young guy growing up half a block from the Black Political Forum offices, at 52nd and Race streets, in the '60s, I remember seeing the late John White Sr., W. Wilson Goode and Williams holding workshops and political forums for people in the neighborhood.
But what I remember most is how they energized people who were barely old enough to vote.
One of those was Lynette Brown-Sow, who got her start working in Williams' campaigns when she was in her teens. She organized tonight's tribute.
"I managed my first campaign office while I was still in high school," she said. "Hardy put young people to work. He didn't care about your age."
Many of the people who later held public office in the city's black wards got started by handing out leaflets and knocking on doors after school.
