Charles Holston Williams: Hamptonian Loyalist and Champion of Racial Uplift through Physical Education, Dance, Recreation, and Sport

Abstract

Charles Holston Williams, a long-time faculty member at Hampton Institute, the historically black college and university founded by the American Missionary Association that trained both African American and Native American students, had an enduring career and a significant impact on higher education for minority groups. A native of Kentucky and alumnus of Hampton Institute who took an undergraduate degree in physical education from Springfield College and master’s degree in education from Harvard University, Williams directed the physical education and athletic programs at Hampton Institute and established the legendary Hampton Institute Creative Dance Group. He was also one of the co-founders of the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association, was an author of books and articles on sport and related topics, and president and manager of the popular Bayshore Resort. These initiatives, along with seemingly everything else he did, were largely about racial uplift, an effort to prove the worthiness of African Americans and an attempt to secure their full participation in American society.