Who is Watson? The Story of Dr. Bernard C. Watson

He never sought public recognition or ran for office. He was not interested in gaining notoriety or media attention.

As an African American born during the Great Depression, Bernard Watson always knew he would have to work harder. There was nothing easy about working in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana with his father, being threatened at gunpoint while standing up for racial equality in college, or fighting systemic racism when he served in the Air Force during the Korean War.

But Watson had a plan: make things better for African Americans. That plan would drive him to open doors to education, champion African Americans for significant government positions, and build opportunities in communities of color.

His journey had surprising twists, including three U.S. Presidents and one of the most extraordinary art collections in the world. Now in his 90s, he is ready to tell his story—a testament to how courage, determination, and hard work can quietly change the world.