Charlie Walker, San Francisco’s Black Contractors’ Hero, Honored By Biopic Star Mike Colter In Gentle Of His Dying
Charlie Walker, who recently starred in a film starring Luke Cage's Mike Colter, has died aged 89.
In the 1960s, Walker led protests to open public construction jobs to black contractors, who were excluded and intentionally discriminated against and passed over in favor of white truckers and white-dominated unions.
He later became one of the most successful truckers in the United States and was highly regarded for cleaning up San Francisco Bay after an oil spill in the early 1970s.
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Walker's legacy was immortalized in the recent biography I Am Charlie Walker.
“Charlie Walker was a true original. Cut from the same cloth as men like my own father and uncles,” Colter said. Men from the 70s who seized the opportunity. Charlie was unapologetic about his ambition and his desire to carve out a place for himself in the world. He paved the way for his family and set an example for future generations. He was a character who moved through the world with a certainty and pride that made people notice him. He deserved to have his story told. It was an honor to portray him. He will never be forgotten. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Mike Regan, producer of I'm Charlie Walker, said: “On behalf of our executive producer Bill O'Keeffe and our entire cast and crew, we are all devastated by Charlie's death, but at the same time we are here to celebrate his amazing To celebrate life.” Our thoughts are with his beautiful wife Annette, his entire family and his beloved community of Bayview Hunters Point in San Francisco. We could talk endlessly about Charlie's achievements and the impact he had on so many, but we also know that Charlie would tell us to get back to work. And that’s exactly what we will do to continue to honor his legacy and wonderful life.”
“Like many others, I had the honor and privilege of spending a lot of time with Charlie as he reveled in stories and wisdom,” said Patrick Gilles, director of “I’m Charlie Walker.” “He will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.”
In 2022, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to honor Walker by naming a street in Bayview Hunters Point “Charlie Way.”
Walker is survived by his wife of 63 years, Annette Walker, his daughters Charlette Carnegia and Ruedell Walker, his son Charles Walker Jr., his eleven grandchildren, including his eldest grandchild, Geoffrea Morris, whom he helped raise, and his Family 13, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews as well as friends from the community.
