Early Life and Education
Elgin Charles Williams, born February 27, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas, grew up in a household that merged academic excellence and artistic expression. His mother, Charles Etta Williams, was an award-winning blues singer. His father, Edgar Willis Williams, was a biochemist.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles Elgin Williams |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1960 |
| Birthplace | San Antonio, Texas |
| High School | Southside High School, Class of 1978 |
| University | St. Mary’s University (Biology, Chemistry) |
| Other Training | CCC School of Ministry; Marinello Schools of Beauty |
Elgin’s academic and spiritual education laid a dual foundation: science and personal growth. He later redirected his path to cosmetology, graduating from a beauty school in Los Angeles.
Career Evolution
Finance to Cosmetology
From 1980 to 1986, Williams held positions in finance at Smith Barney and Crocker National Bank. However, by 1987, he transitioned to beauty. He began his hairstyling career as an assistant at The Blue Salon in Inglewood, later moving to a prominent West Hollywood salon.
| Year | Career Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1987 | Began hairstyling career |
| 1990 | Opened first Beverly Hills salon |
| 1996 | Styled celebrities across film and music |
| 2011 | Appeared in reality TV series |
| 2018 | Published memoir, came out as bisexual |
In 1990, he launched his upscale salon in Beverly Hills, California, which became the first of its kind to cater to African-American clientele in that zip code. Over the next two decades, he styled elite clients and developed a signature for trend-setting techniques in natural hair care.
Media and Authorship
Williams became a regular guest on major talk shows between 1995 and 2015, thanks to his charisma and authority in hair artistry. He was also featured in a well-known hair documentary in 2009 and later starred in a reality TV series showcasing life inside his salon.
| Book Title | Year | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Believe It, Conceive It, Achieve It | 2002 | Motivational and spiritual insights |
| By The Way: A Memoir | 2018 | Personal identity and coming out |
These works added to his public persona, expanding his influence beyond hair into areas of motivation, self-expression, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Personal Life
Family Background
| Family Member | Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Edgar Willis Williams | Father | Biochemist, passed away circa 2016 |
| Charles Etta Williams | Mother | Blues singer |
| Jackée Harry | Ex-Wife | Actress, married in 1996, divorced in 2003 |
| Frank DeVanique Brown | Son (Adopted) | Born 1997, pursued boxing |
Elgin married actress Jackée Harry in 1996, and they adopted a son, Frank DeVanique Brown, in 1997. The couple divorced in 2003 but remained supportive co-parents.
Sexual Identity
Williams publicly came out as bisexual in 2018, a personal turning point prompted by his father’s death. His memoir discussed years of internal struggle and the liberation that followed his coming out.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
Elgin Charles expanded his brand with a luxury product line and a cosmetology school. He also launched the Diversity in Business Summit (DIBS), a yearly event to uplift minority entrepreneurs.
His philanthropic engagements include:
| Organization | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| United Way | Community development |
| United Negro College Fund | Higher education access |
| Women’s International Center | Female empowerment |
| Daughters of Power | Youth leadership |
Williams continues to lead workshops, mentor young professionals, and advocate for marginalized communities in beauty and business.
Celebrity Clientele and Salon Legacy
Over the years, Elgin Charles has worked with an array of high-profile figures from sports, film, and fashion. His Beverly Hills salon attracted a loyal and diverse clientele from 1990 onward.
| Notable Clients | Industry |
|---|---|
| Serena Williams | Tennis |
| Gabrielle Union | Film/TV |
| Drew Barrymore | Film |
| Joan Collins | Television |
He’s known for elevating natural hair care, including pressing, relaxing, and protective styling techniques.
Timeline of Key Life Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Born in San Antonio, Texas |
| 1978 | Graduated Southside High School |
| 1980 | Earned degree in biology and chemistry |
| 1987 | Began career as hairstylist |
| 1990 | Opened Beverly Hills salon |
| 1996 | Married Jackée Harry |
| 1997 | Adopted son, Frank DeVanique Brown |
| 2003 | Divorced but continued co-parenting |
| 2011 | Appeared on reality television |
| 2018 | Released memoir and came out as bisexual |
FAQ
Elgin Charles Williams famous for?
He is a celebrity hairstylist often called the “Emperor of Hair,” recognized for transforming the Beverly Hills salon scene.
When and where was Elgin Charles born?
He was born on February 27, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas.
Who are Elgin Charles’s parents?
His mother was blues performer Charles Etta Williams and his father Edgar Willis Williams, a biochemist.
Was Elgin Charles ever married?
Yes, he was married to actress Jackée Harry from 1996 to 2003.
Does Elgin Charles have children?
Yes, he adopted a son, Frank DeVanique Brown, in 1997.
When did Elgin Charles come out as bisexual?
He publicly came out in 2018 after releasing his memoir By The Way.
What are Elgin Charles’s main business ventures?
They include a high-end salon, a hair-care product line, a cosmetology school, and an entrepreneurship summit.
The title of his motivating book?
Believe It, Conceive It, Achieve It, published in 2002.
Where did he attend college?
He studied at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio.
What is the Business Diversity Summit?
It’s an initiative started by Elgin to empower minority entrepreneurs across industries.
