William L. "Little Willie" Adams (January 5, 1914 – June 27, 2011) was a prominent Baltimore businessman and venture capitalist known for bankrolling many African-American owned businesses in that city in the mid-twentieth century.

[2] Adams used the profits from his illegal lottery to finance a number of legitimate businesses, including a real estate firm[3] and a tavern.

Adams purchased the abandoned building and lured in several businesses, including the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles which helped saved the Mall from bankruptcy.

His conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court on the grounds that the state had violated Adams' Fifth Amendment rights by using his Congressional testimony.

[3] He started a scholarship program for students seeking to major in business, partnering with the NAACP and the United Negro College Fund.