Crown, Craft, and Character: Elgin Charles Williams

Basic Information

Origins in Science and Song

Elgin Charles Williams was born into a household where lab beakers and blues standards shared equal billing. His father, Edgar Willis Williams, was a biochemist tied to early space research involving primates; his mother, Charles Etta Williams, was an award-winning blues singer who filled their home with music, discipline, and a love of performance. That dual inheritance—science and stage—shaped a mind that thinks in formulas and a spirit that embraces flair.

He graduated from Southside High School in 1978 and pursued biology and chemistry at St. Mary’s University. Those studies would later surface in his ingredient-conscious approach to hair care, where texture, pH, and thermal thresholds inform the art. In 1981, he moved to Los Angeles, chasing opportunity in a city pulsing with reinvention.

From Finance to the Chair

Before the shears came spreadsheets. In LA, Williams entered finance, working at Crocker National Bank and Smith Barney. The corporate polish and precision served him well, but it wasn’t his true calling. While studying cosmetology at Marinello Schools of Beauty, he began the pivot that would define his life’s work: translating scientific literacy into hair care mastery.

He apprenticed at places like The Blue Salon in Inglewood, gained ground at Adrian Houghton Hair Salon and Char Salon (by 1986), and learned the business one client at a time. The tools in his kit grew: chemistry for product safety and performance, financial acumen for scaling, and charisma for client loyalty. By 1991, he opened Elgin Charles Salon. Five years later, he relocated to Beverly Hills, winning a reputation as a pioneering destination that confidently served African-American hair in a neighborhood where that expertise had long been underrepresented.

The “Emperor of Hair” Emerges

The moniker “Emperor of Hair” didn’t come by accident. Williams built a brand at the intersection of glamour and rigor. In 1995, he advanced custom hair units. In 1999, he launched EC Classic, followed by EC Platinum in 2007. He consulted and educated—serving as an educational director for established hair care lines—and translated complex hair science into accessible results for everyday clients and celebrities alike.

Media exposure followed. He appeared in the 2009 documentary Good Hair and headlined VH1’s Beverly Hills Fabulous in 2011, bringing salon culture and technique to mainstream audiences. Guest spots on programs like The View and Oprah punctuated his profile, while his 2002 motivational book—Believe It, Conceive It, Achieve It—preached self-definition and persistence. In 2018, he published By The Way, pairing memoir with a public conversation about his bisexual identity.

Family Constellation

Family is the lodestar in Williams’ narrative. He married actress Jackée Harry in 1996. The couple adopted a son, Frank DeVanique Brown, in 1997, building a family threaded with laughter, show business schedules, and the everyday concerns of parenthood. Though the marriage ended in 2003, their relationship remained warm, their co-parenting steady. Williams speaks of gratitude and respect—and of a household that allowed him to be a present father while running a demanding business.

His parents cast long shadows in his life. His father’s conservatism shaped early expectations around masculinity, while his mother’s artistry nourished creativity. After his father’s passing around 2016, Williams began to publicly own his bisexual identity, a journey he describes as both personal and liberating. In later interviews and live streams, he has reflected on authenticity as a daily practice, not a single declaration.

Entrepreneurship by the Numbers

Williams’ financial story is conservative and steady rather than flashy. He built a salon brand that weathered cultural and economic shifts by emphasizing service, product efficacy, and niche leadership.

• Salon founded: 1991; moved to Beverly Hills: 1996
• Product launches: 1995 (custom hair units), 1999 (EC Classic), 2007 (EC Platinum)
• Estimated annual income: around six figures; a commonly cited range near $250,000
• 2024 business note: reported salon revenue growth of roughly 40%
• 2025 net worth estimates: approximately $5 million (figures vary and are approximate)

These figures suggest a disciplined entrepreneur: modest draw, reinvestment in brand, a client base that rewards loyalty, and a product pipeline built on functionality rather than fads.

Timeline Highlights

Craft, Clients, and Culture

Williams made his name by solving problems. Heat damage, chemical processing, protective styles, systematic care for textured hair—he approached each with the curiosity of a chemist and the cadence of a storyteller. His chair welcomed artists, athletes, and executives, from Serena Williams to Drew Barrymore and Lala Anthony. Celebrity names drew attention, but the craft kept the queue full. He’s long championed education about hair texture diversity, debunking myths and emphasizing science-backed maintenance.

His on-camera presence—equal parts sparkle and straight talk—broadened public literacy around Black hair care and the economic realities of salon life. He’s also lent his voice and resources to organizations like UNCF and United Way, framing success as service.

Books, Belief, and Identity

Two books bracket the story so far. The 2002 motivational volume is a field guide to ambition. The 2018 memoir is a portrait of integration—of self, history, family, and faith. Williams also studied ministry, a facet that shows up in his speaking cadence: practical, affirmative, and often anchored in personal testimony. He has framed bisexuality not as a revelation but as a truth he finally placed at center stage. That choice, he suggests, deepened his relationships, his work, and his sense of calm.

Recent Years and Digital Footprints

The 2024–2025 period is low on headlines, high on continuity. The salon hums. Product sales cycle with seasons. Social media offers glimpses—fan replies on X, a styling anecdote here, a live stream there. YouTube hosts longer conversations: mukbang chats, Black History Month reflections, business Q&As. It’s the rhythm of a career that has crossed the 30-year mark: less paparazzi, more polish; fewer announcements, more execution.

The Family Table

FAQ

How old is Elgin Charles Williams in 2025?

He is 65, born February 27, 1960.

Why is he called the “Emperor of Hair”?

The nickname reflects his pioneering Beverly Hills salon, celebrity clientele, and mastery of textured hair care.

What is his estimated net worth?

Estimates suggest around $5 million as of 2025, but figures vary and should be considered approximate.

Is he still active in the beauty industry?

Yes, he continues to operate his salon, maintain product lines, and engage with audiences online.

Did he win any major awards?

There are no widely reported formal awards, though he holds significant industry recognition and media credits.

Who is in his immediate family?

His close circle includes his ex-wife Jackée Harry and their adopted son, Frank DeVanique Brown.

When did he come out as bisexual?

He publicly discussed his bisexuality in 2018, alongside the release of his memoir.

What shows or films has he appeared in?

Highlights include the documentary Good Hair (2009) and the VH1 series Beverly Hills Fabulous (2011).

What is his educational background?

He studied biology and chemistry at St. Mary’s University, trained at Marinello Schools of Beauty, and pursued ministry studies at CCC School of Ministry.

What’s new with him in 2024–2025?

He has kept a lower public profile, with reports of salon growth and periodic interactions on social media.