BILLYE SUBER WILLIAMS AARON

Billye Suber Williams Aaron made her debut on WSB television’s “Today in Georgia,” in June 1968—becoming the first African American woman in the southeast to co-host a daily regularly scheduled talk show. In this capacity she worked alongside veteran lead host Ruth Kent from 1968 to 1974, interviewing local, national and international celebrities and dignitaries, including such luminaries as Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Prime Minister Linden O. Pindling of the Bahamas, Sidney Portier, Harry Belafonte, Jane Fonda and Pearl Bailey.

In 1975, Mrs. Aaron transferred her considerable talents to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee where her husband returned to play for the Milwaukee Brewers. There, she became another “first” –hosting her own weekly talk show called “Billye.”

The fourth of eight children born to Annie Mae Smith and Nathan Suber, Mrs. Aaron grew up in East Texas but graduated from Lincoln High School in Dallas, Texas. She received her BA from Texas College and her MA from Atlanta University. During her graduate studies, she met and married the late Dr. Samuel W. Williams, Morehouse College Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and distinguished civil rights leader. She was widowed in 1970.

A passionate advocate of black higher education, Mrs. Aaron taught on the high school and college level for some twelve years before marrying baseball great, Hank Aaron in 1973.

For fourteen years, she was one of UNCF’s premiere fundraisers—retiring in 1994 as Vice President of the Southern Region. She founded and nurtured the Mayor’s Masked Ball, assigning to the meaning of MASKED, Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams. The Masked Ball has become one of UNCF’s longest running and highest grossing special events.

Upon retiring from the College Fund, Billye along with her husband Hank, founded the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation, a philanthropic trust that makes grants to children between the ages of 9 through 12 to assist them in developing their special talents and chasing their dreams.

Mrs. Aaron’s commitment to black higher education continues to evidence itself through her service on the board of trustees of her alma mater, Texas College, and Morehouse College, where she serves as chair of the Educational Policy Committee.

She has been a member of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Board (founded by Thurgood Marshall) for over 25 years. A lifetime member of the NAACP, her involvement with the Atlanta Branch dates back to the early 1960’s, when her late husband, Dr. Williams, served several terms as vice president and president of the local chapter. For five consecutive years, Mrs. Aaron served as chair of the NAACP premiere fundraiser, the Freedom Fund Dinner.

Mrs. Aaron received Honorary Degrees from her Alma Mater, Texas College, Allen University and Spelman College. Most recently, she and her husband received the 2003 Martin Luther King, Jr. “Salute to Greatness” Award.

Billye Suber Aaron, a dynamic media personality and former educator, has received wide recognition for academic excellence, her philanthropic activities, her community involvement and her tireless efforts to make contributions to the betterment of all God’s children.

Mrs. Aaron has a daughter, Diedra Cecile, and two grandchildren, Emily Jewel and Victor Aaron Haydel.

As a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron have been a remarkable team, not only complementing each other as husband and wife for 29 years in their professional careers, but also providing a wonderful example of marriage as a partnership for social progress and community improvement. They have helped many worthy causes in Atlanta and throughout the country.