The Queens Never Quit Walk, honoring and in memory of Dee Dee Cocheta Williams, takes place on Saturday, July 12, 2014, beginning at 10am, at the Riverdale Regional Park, 904 Wilson Road, Riverdale, GA 30296. To register for the walk, visit: www.queensneverquitwalk.eventbrite.com. On the same day, July 12, the Queens Never Quit Walk will also take place in Oakland, California, led by Taj Anwar Jackson. Specific location and time will be announced soon. Registration for the Oakland location may also be done through www.queensneverquitwalk.eventbrite.com.
The Queens Never Quit Walk serves to promote a well-being through exercise, as well as raise awareness of breast cancer and total body health. The walk is also a fundraiser for the Williams family, as they relocate from Portland, Oregon to Georgia.
Dee Dee Cocheta Williams, wife of Juan Williams for 25 years, mother of seven children and grandmother of three, was an award-winning public relations and marketing professional, and the owner of A.B.C. Publicity, the first boutique agency in Atlanta and in the South focusing on music & entertainment in the late 90s, with past clients such as the BET Hip Hop Awards and Arrested Development.
Queens Never Quit came to Dee Dee Cocheta Williams when she was at a low point in her career. Even though she was a very spiritual person, she had come to a point where she felt she wasn’t being challenged, successful, helpful or satisfied in what she was doing. As a result, she had many thoughts of giving up. She had always addressed the men and women she conversed with as “Kings” and “Queens,” to remind them of their worth. The phrase “Queens Never Quit” came to her as an epiphany and became a mantra to keep her going. With the encouragement of others to do so, she decided to create an organization of that same name to be an outlet for women and girls to be kept on task with their goals and aspirations.
Dee Dee was a leader, mentor and motivator to many. She served selflessly and encouraged young girls and women that “Queens Never Quit.” Dee Dee’s husband, Juan, is in the process of carrying out Dee Dee’s vision of establishing the Queens Never Quit Foundation.
After a courageous fight, Dee Dee passed away on January 9, 2014 due to stage-4 breast cancer. The Queens Never Quit Walk honors her legacy and celebrates her life.
Follow us on Twitter @hiphopenquirer