Cumberland County Board of Commissioners honors one of Fayetteville’s own

Broadway came to Cumberland County on Monday night as the board of commissioners recognized Fayetteville native NaTasha Yvette Williams for her Grammy award. 

Williams, a 1988 graduate of Cape Fear High School, won a Grammy earlier this month for Best Musical Theater Album for her work as a lead vocalist on the “Some Like It Hot” album. The show ran on Broadway from December 2022 to December 2023. J. Harrison Ghee, a fellow Fayetteville native and E.E. Smith High School graduate, also won the Grammy for their work in the show.

Williams blinked back tears as board Chairman Glenn Adams presented her with a proclamation in her honor. 

“I can’t sing, I can’t dance, but I do know talent when I see it,” Adams said. “She got her start right here in Cumberland County. You can’t ask for much more than that.”

Williams received a standing ovation from the audience. In brief remarks, she thanked her support system and role models, including her 5th- and 6th-grade teacher, Deborah Faircloth, who sat in the crowd at Monday’s meeting.

“I just want to take a moment to thank Ms. Faircloth, who changed my life, really, in the 5th grade,” Williams said, tearing up. “She really zeroed in on my potential and gave me so much wonderful stern advice that taught me the importance of education and how to value myself and to value what I’m depositing in so the best can come out.”

Williams said she is grateful to the place where she began her acting career, noting that she grew up performing in Fayetteville at her father’s church, Shiloh United Church of Christ, and debuted professionally at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre at age 13.

“Fayetteville gave me the opportunity to nurture every thought I had,” she said. “Every dream I had, every hope I had was found in the sands of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. So I thank you for everything you’ve given me.”

In other business:

• The board unanimously approved its consent agenda. 
• The Gray’s Creek Water and Sewer District Governing Body convened for two minutes to approve designating $10 million to the first phase of the district’s water and sewer project.
• The board unanimously appointed Wayne Collier to the Farm Advisory Board, Johnny Lanthorn and Gary Clarke to the Cumberland County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Jassan Maranhas, George Turner, Jasper “Jackie” Lewis, Mark Knight and Leonard Hedgepeth to the Equalization and Review Board.
• The board went into closed session for 40 minutes to discuss economic development and attorney-client privilege.

Reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at lsolomon@cityviewnc.com or 910-423-6500.

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