GREAT OUT OF COMPTON
by Karen Pecota

The director’s statement in the press kit for the film ON THE LINE: THE RICHARD WILLIAMS STORY from filmmaker Stuart McClave eloquently shares why Mr. Williams' story is worthy to be told--a man who aspired to coach star athletes and succeeded against all odds. McClave's documentary sets Williams' story straight.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, but Compton, California, based, Richard Williams was raised by a single mom, a cotton picker who raised five children in the Jim Crow south. He often feared for his life with scars that show. Julia Mae Williams taught Richard perseverance and endurance, which he passed on to all of his children. His daughters Venus and Serena embraced the teachings and have become legends.

Screening the feature film KING RICHARD and witnessing the mishaps of the 2022 Oscars related to the feature narrative that garnered awards I wanted to hear from the real Richard Williams. McClave made this happen by using never-before seen interviews with Richard and their family home videos spanning at least four decades. Williams' life journey reveals how he accomplishes the American Dream for two of his children, Venus and Serena, to become world tennis champions, in spite of being part of a niche circle of society that tried to keep him from succeeding. Richard believed in true grit, hard work, talent and grace and his girls had the right stuff to back up their dad’s claims.

Williams once noted, "I just want to be a regular human being. The ultimate fulfillment is that my kids love God, love their family, and be most appreciated that I allowed them the opportunity to grow up in the ghettos and that way they'd be able to reach out and say this is the way it's done." Succeed with dignity.

Williams’ desire to build bridges helped him to be an agent of change, to revolutionize the sport of tennis, to pave a path for future competitors of color and ethnicity. Williams said, "I'd like to see Venus and Serena be a role model not just for Black kids but for all kids in America." There are life altering take-a-ways from Williams' journey no matter what class of society you identify with or from where you grew-up. Important, is to listen and learn.

"Straight out of Compton, Great out of Compton" is a motto Richard Williams identifies with and his life accomplishments prove it.