Reverend William Lawson, a towering figure in Houston’s fight for social justice and educational equity, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 14. Lawson dedicated his life to empowering marginalized communities and left a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Lawson’s impact on education began early in his career. In 1955, he joined the faculty of the then-young Texas Southern University (TSU) as the director of the Baptist Student Union and Professor of Bible. His influence extended beyond the classroom walls as he became the director of Upward Bound, a program that prepared pre-college students for higher education.
Lawson’s commitment to social justice extended beyond the walls of TSU. He became a vital voice during the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for desegregation in Houston’s schools and public spaces. He even marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Following the organization of a sit-in by 14 TSU students to denounce segregation at a Weingarten’s grocery lunch counter, Lawson and his spouse, Audrey, became active supporters of civil rights while still attending TSU. After the students were taken into custody, the Lawsons set out to acquire the necessary funds to post their bail.
During a one-on-one interview with the Defender in 2018, Lawson shared his thoughts on the importance of Black children learning their history.
“It is vital that in this time we do something by making sure that Black children learn who they are and can have some sense of self-worth,” he said. “That’s difficult to come by when Black children are being pushed off into mostly white cultures.”
Former TSU president Dr. James Douglass remembers when he first met Lawson during his freshman year at TSU in 1962. At the time, Houston dealt with the turmoil of school segregation, and Lawson pushed for public school integration. Douglass said that college students helped shape the Civil Rights Movement.
“Reverend Lawson had the pulse of the students. He got many of us to work with him on protesting segregation in the Houston Independent School District,” said Douglass. “I never saw him yell or get angry; he had a calm demeanor. That is what impressed the students. It was the perfect energy needed to fight for the cause.”
His advocacy wasn’t limited to protests. He believed in building lasting change through education. In 1962, he established the first Afro-American Studies Program at the University of Houston. He also taught classes on sociology and the Black Church.
Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, remembered when Lawson, his late wife Audrey, and 13 others began their church in the living room of their home, located on the campus of Texas Southern University. For 62 years, the church has been in the heart of Third Ward.
“He made sure that the students at Texas Southern University would have the opportunity to march for, to protest for, to sit in for the rights that were created in them by God, who instilled those rights in all of our lives,” he said during a press conference at the church. “All of us in this community are blessed and are better because Pastor Lawson worked here whether we know it or not.”
In February 2022, TSU hosted its first Black History Month convocation, honoring Lawson’s contributions and humble beginnings on campus. At the memorial luncheon, the university announced the creation of the $100,000 William A. Lawson Leadership Institute endowment scholarship and renamed the Tiger Walk “Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Way.”
Rice University has also honored Lawson with a grove in his name, established in 2021, in the central campus quadrangle. Rice’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research awarded him the 2020 Klineberg Award for his decades of community service.
“Rev. William Lawson leaves behind a legacy that resonates through generations, shaping the fabric of justice in Houston and beyond,” said Rice President Reginald DesRoches in an official statement. “His leadership and unwavering vision have left an indelible mark on our community by uniting disparate voices and fostering progress for the greater good. May future generations be reminded of his enduring impact as a beacon in the civil rights movement every time they walk through the grove named in his honor on the Rice campus.”
Following his retirement from Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church after 42 years of service as senior pastor, the community found a new way for him to continue his mission. In 1996, they established the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP).
WALIPP has served as a powerful advocate for underserved communities in Houston. The organization has a long history of addressing public authorities to ensure the demands of the marginalized are recognized.
Through WALIPP, Lawson played a key role in establishing The Lawson Academy, a two single-gender charter school for boys in Houston’s Third Ward.
The Lawson Academy isn’t WALIPP’s only success story. They’ve established a school for girls, constructed affordable housing for seniors, and continue to provide a vital voice for Houston’s underserved communities.
