Reverend Donald Wilson

Born in Galveston, Texas, and raised in Los Angeles, Reverend Donald Wilson was influenced by his father’s role as a union activist and his mother’s hard work as a single parent. These early experiences shaped his commitment to social justice and activism. Reverend Wilson’s career began in the culinary industry, where he worked his way up from dishwasher at the Holiday Inn to the first African-American banquet chef at the Century Plaza Hotel. His journey in the hospitality industry expanded into union organizing, where he played a key role in advocating for African-American representation in the workforce. As a shop steward with Unite Here Local 11, Reverend Wilson fought to improve conditions and wages for workers in the hospitality sector. His efforts were instrumental in negotiating contracts that included provisions for fair hiring practices and equal opportunities for African-Americans. He eventually became the Director for the Diversity Program, starting a training center for African Americans to enter the hospitality industry in 2005. In addition to his work in the labor movement, Reverend Wilson has been a dedicated preacher since 1984, serving as a pastor for a decade. His faith and activism have often intersected, as he views both as essential to creating positive change in his community. After retiring, Wilson continued his work as an organizer, focusing on worker rights and empowerment, particularly in the Southern United States. Reverend Wilson’s advice to young people is to strive to be the best at whatever they do, and to remember that they will reap what they sow.