William Levi Dawson (1899–1990) was one of America’s most gifted and groundbreaking composers, conductors and educators. Born in Anniston, Alabama, Dawson rose to international prominence through his masterful arrangements of African American spirituals and original works that blended classical traditions with the rhythms and soul of Black life.
Cecile Nicholson Dawson (1910–1994) was a woman of grace, intellect and influence. A graduate of both Howard University and Kansas State Teachers College at Pittsburg, her notable contributions enriched the cultural and civic fabric of Tuskegee. An educator by training and a stylist by instinct, Cecile brought warmth, refinement and purpose to Tuskegee – especially her beloved home in the Greenwood community.
Together, the Dawsons embodied a balanced harmony – his music giving voice to the spirit of a people and her elegance and civic leadership shaping the cultural life of Tuskegee.
Historic Dawson House 