paul r. williams story has been made possible in part by the richard h.ndependent television service with funding provided by the corporation for public broadcasting the washington dc commission on the arts and humanities the american institute of architects and ariel investments ♪ lonnie: paul williams was one of the most gifted architects of the 20th century. linda: his legacy of buildings is so strong and so compelling and so wide ranging. karen: he had a teacher who very clearly told him, "you cannot be an architect." wesley: he was the first african american architect to have a major crossover appeal to a white clientele, movie stars, movie moguls, affluent people of all kinds.