Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1952-03-15
TRAIGHT
AHEAD"
By JULIUS J. ADAMS

NEW YORK (GLOBAL)-They
gave a party for nice guy in
New York's Capitol Hotel on Feb
ruary %. He is William Stevens
Bryant, Jr., more Familiarity known
as Willie Bryant. His friends
turned out several hundred strong
and, knowing they were coming,
the sponsors 'baked a cake"
There were several significant
things connected with the dinner
party. Willie had only recently
been voted the most popular Har-
lemite for 1851 in a newspaper poll:
second, he is said to be only the
third Negro in show business to
1 have had dinner given in his
honor; and third he is believed
to be the first Negro ever to re-
ceive the Negro Actors Guild
Award.
The elite of show business and
New York's night and civic life
were on hand. General Sessions
Court Judge Jonah Goldstein CO.
chairman of the dinner was there.
Governor Thomas E. Dewey sent
a letter of congratulations and
Mayor Vincent r. Impellitteri de-
clared February %, Harlem Day."
Many friends brought greetings,
with principal speeches by Milton
(Uncle Miltie) Berle and Barry
Gray television and radio stars
respectively.
The Willie Bryant story is more
than just success story. 1t is a
striking example of what industry,
intelligence, honesty and determi-
nation can accomplish for any Am
erican with a courageous heart and
a championship spirit.
AS thin, personable and hap
py-go-lucky youngster in Chicago
years ago, Willie earned money to
help his parents by carrying out
ashes at ten cents a bucket for
residents on the streets and in the
alleys of the Windy City. He per-
| formed these chores in the early
morning hours, then shined shoes
at the corner of State and 31st
Streets until evening, when he sold
candy at the Grand Theatre, one
of the city's famous landmarks and
port of call for the greatest Negro
actors of the period.
Chorus boy, comedian, straight
man, dancer, actor bandleader,
disc jockey, community worker,
father and inspiration for Juveniles,
Willie Bryant has emerged a we'll
loved favorite of folk from every
strata of our society from Coast
to Coast. Harlem has honored him
by electing his mayor"
Today, Willie, along with his
partner, Ray Carroll, is a disc
jockey heard nightly over radio
station WHOM with the "After
Hour Swing Session" originating
from the Baby Grand Cafe on
West 125th Street.
The fact that Willie and Ray
Carroll are partners is an indica-
ton of the new Mayors" mind on
the subject of Indignation.
Il met Ray, liked him and de-
cided | was going to practice what
so many people preach" Willie
says. Today, as far as is known,
they are the only interracial disc
jockeys in the country. Willie calls
Ray " one-hundred percent guy"
Evidently the feeling is mutual.
To those who have known Willie
only as theatrical personality, his
selection by the people of Harlem
as the leading Harmlemite in 1851
might have come as something of
surprise. Willie has always been
modest. He has not sought to ex-
plot the good deeds he has done
for the community, especially for
youth.
For the past seven years, Willie
has held tire annual holiday par
ties for the kids of Harlem in
Loew's Victoria Theatre-Thanks-
giving, Christmas, and Easter
under the auspices of the Police
Athletic League. The kids receive
free gifts and see movies free. In
addition, at Christmas time, Willie
dons Santa Claus suit and tours
various hospitals with gifts for
stricken children. Each Christmas
with his radio partner Ray Carroll,
he gives 200 baskets, donated by
his sponsors, to the various Harlem
police precincts for needy families.
A terrific guy, wonderful per-
sonality, and a man who has always
answered there" whenever his
adopted community of Harlem call
ed on him, William Stevens Bryant,
Jr., sits we'll under the mantle of
Mayor of Harlem"
Walk up to him any time and
ask him his hobbies. He'll saw.
my hobby is making people hap
py."