Willie Houseal: Anomaly No Longer, 1982-present

Willie Houseal is perhaps best known for his service as Valdosta City Councilman from 1985-1989, but his advocacy for underserved Black residents of Valdosta began years before his election to the position. A Valdosta native, he returned to the area permanently in 1982 after military service and quickly began work on numerous initiatives to improve conditions on Valdosta's Southside. Houseal is notable for creating and partnering with many local organizations, including the NAACP, Southwest Enterprise Black Truth Association, and Reading is Fundamental. Throughout his career, he advocated in and out of local government, tenacious but also able to compromise with white City Councilmembers when necessary. Following his efforts to establish a voting system based on districts and wards in Valdosta, he was elected as City Councilman, then Mayor Pro Tem, and has since paved the way for many Black residents of Valdosta to hold office and thrive in their city's infrastructure.

The Liberty Club, depicted above, was a famous site for jazz performances in Valdosta in the early 20th century. In a state of relative disrepair, it reflects Houseal and the whole of Valdosta's persistence and excellence despite crumbling infrastructure.

All exhibit materials are sourced from Valdosta State University's Archives and Special Collections. Citations and links are provided directly under each artifact.