Paul R. Williams, "the Michael Jordan of African American architects" 

I’m so glad his home is being restored and that at least one of his LA homes will have landmark status.

Thank you for acknowledging one of the greatest architects in the industry, whose iconic buildings define LA history... ie. the Beverly Hills Hotel and the former Encounter restaurant building at LAX, among others. I remember seeing an exhibit of Mr. Williams' work years ago at USC and was surprised at how brief it was, until I found out that almost all of this architect's office of projects/drawings had been destroyed during the LA riots. At the time, Mr. WIlliams' office was in a bank building, which unfortunately was one of the first buildings torched during the riots. As a former resident of LA/West Hollywood, I've been to a couple of dozen homes and mansions during open houses. There are certain characteristics that are quite obvious upon entering... the curved staircases, the detailed moldings, and often an oval dining room are just a few. The proportion and scale of the rooms are adequate compared to the Mega-Mansions of today. If I won the lottery, my ideal house would be a Paul R. Williams hands down! 🤗 **UPDATE** I stand corrected, I found an article from the LA Times that debunks the myth about Mr. Williams' archives were destroyed during the LA riots. The papers lost were his business records, and the actual archive of thousands of drawings, sketches, floorplans, and models was stored elsewhere. The collection now is under the conservation of the Getty Institute and USC! 🤗 His granddaughter has also written 2 books about him.

"... he was raised by a loving foster mother who believed he could do anything." Beautiful.

Another African-American architect worthy of admiration is Julian Abele (1881-1950). The first African-American graduate of the architecture school at Penn, he was the right hand man of Horace Trumbauer during the later stages of the Gilded Age. While his name never appears on the designs, most scholars attribute most of the work to him. A brilliant draftsman and designer.

I was fortunate to experience a Paul Williams house, while it was still owned by the original client, film star Irene Dunne. It was beautiful, elegant, and still somehow unpretentious. It did not scream "movie star" the way a house for a star of her caliber would be today. Sadly, after she passed away, it was sold to someone who tore it down for the land, and a house was built that was everything a Williams house was not, unfortunately. Good for this couple for fighting to preserve theirs!

As a Chinese Singaporen who is living in the US, the longer I am here, the more I am impressed with the immense contribution of African Americans to this country despite suffering generations of slavery and racism.

I studied architecture too, and I studied his work as it was taught at the Pratt Institute of Architecture. I am so happy to see a segment of his legacy, as he actually was a better architect than Frank Loyd Write, none of his buildings had to be close to water damage or structural damage, unlike FLW. A fact that is not mentioned here and it's quite relevant is that Mr. Williams won an architectural competition at age 25, and three years later opened his own office. Thank you

Paul Revere Williams : a visionary, an artist and his work will endure for its timeless elegance. Just WOW! And how lucky was he to have a loving and supportive foster mother who told him he could do anything! That was blessing number one and it went on from there. I would have bought a house from him in an nano-second had I had the money to do so because that is my aesthetic. And aesthetic design is innate and has nothing to do whatsoever with race, or any other discriminatory factor. Rest in peace, Mr. Williams.

I didn't know the legacy of Paul Williams. I admire what he was able to accomplish.

Wow! Like ‘Hidden Figures’ another part of African American history I never knew! Thank you CBS This Morning!!

I recall drawing floorplans in 4th and 5th grade! Never ever thought it was for me so gave up on it by 10th grade. If only I had come across this history then. Def would've become an architect. Thank you so much for sharing this story.♥

Beautiful Architectural Masterpieces. Happy They made their home an L.A. Historical cultural monument. Ensuring That Mr.Williams Gets his Respect.

This story is incredible.

Thank you for this important historical lesson. So many to tell…

Mr Williams, so glad that your contributions are being recognized. THANK YOU for paving the way‼️

Happy Juneteenth Everyone❤️💚🖤 What a fitting man to pay tribute to! Drawing upside down bcuz of racism?! Wow. His sense of purpose and self is extremely inspiring👏🏽

The one the sold for 61 million was former Hilton Mansion. Paul Williams was a master architect

What an immense talent. Thank you for this story ❤

It's sad that I have never heard of this man and his great achievements. We African-Americans have been cheated out of so much valuable history. I mean come on, the Beverly Hills Hotel!? It's recognized worldwide as one of the iconic places in Hollywood, and yet most people don't know he designed and built it.

He was one of a kind ,great arquitecture and design by a unique Arquitect !

I really enjoyed the show this Sunday Morning!!

I have heard of Paul R. Williams before with the many things he builds around LA including The Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts, LAX Theme Building and others. Paul R. Williams need be taught in every history class.

Such an inspiring story. The architecture is amazing.

What a great story.

I love learning this stuff!

I am so glad that mister Williams live until 1980 so that he could stay where he created these wonderful masterpieces.

My hero. I learned of Paul Williams and his iconic Architecture in the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University. I have been fortunate to visit several of his iconic achievements and both books reside in my library. Definitely an enduring legacy....................

Such a visionary architect.

So very glad yo included this little known famous architect like the Black Frank Lloyd Wright. Told all my friends who may be interested about him including my good English Friend poet John Veasay who has been posting his work on Twitter for years that appear on RU-vid because he puts them to music & video. I’ve tried to help by looking for a publisher of his massive number of work but they all expect him to pay which he can’t afford. So many great artists left unknown.

Awesome architect!! Crazy he couldn't live in his own buildings!!

Teachers should inspire not tear down students.

Bravo to Mr. Williams. ❤🕊

What an amazing man and an iconic architect! His buildings are still beautiful and still standing! I often wonder how much money was Paul R. Williams paid for his designs for each building? 🤔 Great story, and I thank you, CBS!

Great story.

Why didn’t CBS feature him during Black History Month?

My son Terrance just graduated from USC 2024 , I introduced this incredible Man to him years ago.

Thank you, I learned a great history lesson today. I want to learn more.

An outstanding human, that got his due, in style and originality. The best are unstoppable when they believe in themselves

Interesting piece of American history!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Thank you for this video. I look at his architecture every day when I pass the Los Angeles Tom, Bradley, Airport, and all I can say is he’s made some beautiful homes and he’s done a lot for the Los Angeles county and Pasadena and other cities here in this valley in Los Angeles. Well, thank you for this video of Paul revere Williams. Thank you.

So lovely to learn about all these amazing people of color and what they've brought to humanity. I glad we have this holiday of Juneteenth. Notice my last name, I'm Hispanic. Love to us all, we are all God's children. 🙏

Amen. Let people be great.

A true master! Wow! 💜

5:52 to 6:00 An incredibly beautiful space.

❤❤❤

Who knew....amazing...thanks for bringing this to me xoxo

Amazing

Wow. I had NO idea that a lot of the iconic LA buildings were designed by a black man! LOVE that!

Thank you for sharing this very nice gentleman.

Amazing ❤.

A True visionary who paved the way for FBA Designers.

Wow beautiful designs! Never knew he existed!!

He designed the famous Theme Building at LAX, there was no mention but it was shown in the video.

Absolutely love this segment!

Great segment❤❤❤ his homes look breathtaking

Probably one of the great seeds in America history and people. He grew and expanded his amazing talent to reach beyond the walls of his "garden". A true human that endured those walls of humanity, going beyond for all, especially those restricted by color or prosperity. This inspires a humbling smile, but moreover a peace. Much appreciated!@

Learning something new everyday

He did the LAX spinning restuarant ? Cool... love that place.

Thanks for sharing 💙

Wow ❤

fascinating ...

I love Paul R. Williams. All he did,had and achieved are to be commended.

Thank you for reminding me.

Awesome!

Magnificence, creative geniuses consists within ALL races,religions etc. Segregate none, reap the benefits when experiencing from each.

Yes!!

I think Mr Williams would be very happy with who lives in the house now

It is gorgeous!

Wow! 😢

WOW

Loved this story! Why must we name or reference someone else greatness the “Michael Jordan” of whatever their greatness is? Hears a thought trying naming a person skill or greatness level THE “Bill Russell” of their work besides the last that I checked 11 is greater than 6… and social and professional accolades are much greater than a pair of shoes!

I wonder what went thru his mind when he could not stay in these hotels. So sad. So much talent without the proper recognition at the time.

I never knew this story. I hope someone turns this into a movie.

First time heard of this architect

🍒To put the cheery on top of that🤷🏻…that house should be used in a feature film to make it even more, moooore valuable.😮👏👍🎥🎞️

National treasure of

Why do some of y'all hate us? It's been going on for literal centuries!

Saw hour show all about Mr Williams on PBS...he was so talented...his creations were heavenly.

I think a more appropriate title would be "The Michael Jordan of American Architects"...😁

I know the Founder's Church of Religious Science very well.

Ed Sullivan's "stiffness" was part of his charm. It humanized him and made him relatable. With a glitzy host, the show may not have been as huge.

The black minority architect has to become the developer, has to also become practically the private equity developer!!

Only 2% of African American architects belong to the AIA. That should be a badge of honor that so many many have boycotted that overblown country club who gladly takes your dues but does virtually nothing to enhance your status.

This isn’t amazing. We’ve been doing amazing things since the beginning of time - one of the many reasons we were stolen from Africa.

He was Black American, not African American. There is a BIG difference.

This title is suspect

I was taught Frank Lloyd Wright over Paul Revere Williams and I feel cheated.

Why does he have to be the "Michael Jordan" of architecture? 🙄Is it because he's black and so you thought that title & connection would be more fitting? 🤔

Why compare his career to a basketball player? Isn't that racial?

It'll happen again so many times. Prove me wrong

It is the clients that make the architect, the architect don't make the clients.

Another genius held back because he was black

Wait……are we still “celebrating “ Juneteenth? Doesn’t it seem strange that we celebrate freed slaves being lied to and then they are finally told they are no longer slaves……it’s like this segment where they have to dig up AA accomplishments to honor an architect that didn’t get his due……it becomes less about the achievement or freedom for slaves but the injustice committed…….pulling victims from the depths of history is bad juju…..the vast public or perhaps you can blame trumpers are quickly tiring of this…it will soon just become a MEH…….pride month MEH…..Juneteenth MEH……the brutality of slavery, Jim crow, 60’s civil rights MEH…..

Why couldnt you just say "The Michael Jordan of Achitects?" Are african american architects not as good white ones? Come on guys, update your language.

He was talented beyond but you passed by his greatest achievment in the theme building at LAX, posting the picture of it without mentioning that HE designed it, to usher in the jet age coexistent with The Jetsons. And you just concentrated on race like a communist network would do, to ignore his contribution to that airport/gateway and highlight racism. You just make me sick. All the great buildings and you relegated him to victimhood.

A lot of rich Democrats live in California. Why do they not share their beautiful mansions with the poor and the homeless?

Who cares