We recently connected with Kylah Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Kylah , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
“You speak Spanish so well, where are you from?” To which I reply “California” and watch as my response is digested in disbelief.
As a Black woman coming from an African American household who learned Spanish in a bilingual immersion school, I have come to realize that my journey was very different from that of my peers.
Being the only Black American student in my class from K-8th grade at the Language Academy of Sacramento, became normal to me. Though I was visibly different from all of my Hispanic and Latino counterparts, I never questioned it. I enjoyed learning about their culture and finding commonalities and differences within my own. Ninety-five percent of students at my school were Mexican, coming from parents who immigrated to the US from Mexico countries with hopes to give their children a better life. My peers came to this school to learn English so that they could navigate through the US, giving them a chance that their parents didn’t get to have. I went to this school to do the exact opposite and I am finally embracing that reality.
Learning a second language allowed me to embark on a journey only a select few people can relate to and it truly changed my life. However, being one, and in most cases, the only person who looks like me on the many journeys I’ve embarked on (for example competing in business language case competitions, studying abroad in Chile, interning Spain, conducting focus groups in Spanish, and living in Mexico on a Fulbright grant to name a few) has often meant navigating spaces where my background isn’t always represented and dejame decirte que (let me tell you that) this has been both challenging and empowering. My fluency in Spanish has allowed me to break cultural and professional barriers, connecting with diverse communities in ways that transcend language alone. I’ve used these moments to challenge assumptions and show that diversity of thought and experience is invaluable, especially in the world of content creation.
As a creator focused making language learning fun by way of learning, lifestyle and travel content, I’ve been able to expand my reach by bridging cultural gaps. I’ve leveraged my linguistic capabilities through the many experiences I’ve had in Latin America, to connect authentically with local communities and have found my approach to sharing my experiences be very unique and accessible. Instead of seeing the lack of representation as a limitation and being shy about my abilities (which was my reality up until my sophomore year of college), I’ve come to view it as an opportunity to offer unique insights and perspective into what others who look like me can achieve by broadening their lens and learning another language.
There is a rise in bilingualism and more specifically Spanish speakers across the US from bilingual immersion schools to academia to professionals and nomads which has encouraged me to continue sharing my journey with those who are in the shoes I once was showing them what they can achieve. Though it can sometimes feel like I’m the only African American fluent in Spanish in the workplace and as a content creator, I’ve seen exponential growth across my platforms and the increased necessity for this skillset across many industries. I have also come across other Black Spanish learners & teachers who share a similar mission to make language learning more inclusive (shout out to @blackmexicannn, @blacklingual, @bilingueblogs and @tallyjoyce who are helping pave the way). I want to inspire others to stick the course and prove to them that with consistency, dedication and practice, anything is possible. I want to be the voice that not only encourages those to be proud of their bilingual abilities, but I want to amplify the voices of my Hispanic and Latino primos/as who are in US and feel like they have to hide such a big part of their culture to “fit in”.
I believe that through language, we can build deeper connections and cultivate a more inclusive space for consumers in the U.S. and around the world.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve always been a business woman, just unsure of how it would manifest itself; “would I be a corporate girl or an entrepreneur ?” I would always ask myself <b>until I realized that I could be both.</b>
I was born and raised in Sacramento, California, but have spent 5 years in Washington, D.C., 2 years abroad living in Mexico, Chile and Spain. I completed my undergraduate degree at American University’s Kogod School of Business majoring in Business Administration with minors in Entrepreneurship and Spanish Language, and earned a Master’s degree in Marketing specializing in Consumer Insights. It was during my time at AU that I began to solidify my passions for both business and language, setting the foundation for my career.
<b> I combined my passions early on when I competed and took first place in a national Spanish Business Case Competition during my sophomore year in college. </b>This experience prompted me to take my skills overseas to Viña del Mar, Chile and Madrid, Spain for a year which piqued my interest in understanding Hispanic and Latino consumers and the differences in Spanish dialects. While abroad, I interned at a Spanish startup company in Madrid working as a digital marketing intern where I quickly realized that Marketing approaches varied cross-culturally. It was during this time that I had the privilege of interacting with locals in everyday settings—whether that be through discussions with my host family, coworkers, colleagues or during volleyball practice (yes, I played collegiate volleyball in Spanish). These conversations allowed me to understand that the cultural nuances that shape consumer behavior are essential to understanding a foreign market, and it has been a transferrable skill that I’m able to apply in my professional career.
After I graduated from grad school, I was awarded a Fulbright Binational Business Award to Mexico City where I combined my knowledge in Marketing with my passion for speaking Spanish while working for a Mexican multinational, women owned tequila company, Casa Dragones. I took MBA classes at ITAM, a private university with local students and continued building my community of curious, bilingual individuals online which grew significantly. This experience was eye-opening, as it allowed me to perfect my Spanish fluency and apply it in a business context which revealed that the strategies that work in the U.S. don’t always resonate with other cultures due to language barriers, varying consumer preferences, and cultural differences. This sparked my curiosity in cross-cultural marketing approaches even further landing me a role at a leading ad agency where I now focus on strategizing the engagement of Hispanic/ Latino audiences through multicultural advertising.
Outside of my academic and corporate career, <b>I’ve recently become a small business owner who’s </b>passionate about advocating for the importance of language learning and cultural understanding. Through my social media platforms (@thatbilingualchick), I showcase my bilingualism through relatable, yet educational content encouraging others to embrace language learning. I create bilingual content that teaches Spanish/English through bite sized lessons, day in my life videos or by capturing my travel experiences to connect with a broader, multicultural audience who also shares my love for language, culture and travel.
Looking ahead, I am beyond excited to launch my website in January 2025 and shortly after, launching my inaugural convo club which aims to encourage conversation amongst learners depending on their learning styles. I will host monthly virtual sessions where my community can come and practice with other learners while we dive deep into the topic of the month; a popular tv series, song album, and/or book. My bigger goal is to host in person language exchange events in my community’s most represented cities (Los Angeles, NYC, Chicago, Washington DC, Houston, and Mexico City) and then grow to hosting group trips that bring together all aspects of the language learner journey challenging traditional teaching methods and making space for an area where most learners fall short: having conversations.
As for now, I will continue striving towards building a foundation to make a positive impact for a more inclusive and culturally aware marketplace, both in the U.S. and internationally and I am grateful to all those who are on the journey with me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’d say that the following are the most recurring qualities that have kept me going and the areas of knowledge where they were most relevant:
Curiosity – Being curious about the people/world around me by way of travel and having deep conversations to gain global perspective supported by market research methods.
Determination – I am determined to build a brand that people can relate to and benefit from by diversifying my approach and implementing strategic marketing approaches.
Resilience – I’ve been resilient in acknowledging that on this journey I will face obstacles as an entrepreneur, but I have identified a gap in our community and I am passionate about helping to bridge it.
My advice to anyone regardless of their journey is never stop being curious. Continue to try things for the first time to find what you’re passionate about; go on solo dates, travel, book an experience, pick a random hobby, walk around, play a sport, or learn a language. Don’t focus on what others will say, think or do, just worry about running your race and running it well. It was the times I starting letting in the noise and expectations of others that I lost sight of my vision, but my curiosity coupled with my determination and resilience continued to propel me forward – no te des por vencido (don’t give up).
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents recognized the value of being bilingual and enrolled me and my siblings in a bilingual immersion school to learn Spanish which has become an integral part of who I am by changing the trajectory of my life.
Giving me the exposure to language immersion school from a young age not knowing where it would take me was the biggest bet my parents took on me. I come from a family of six and my siblings and I are all bilingual. Tuesdays and Thursdays were special days in our house because those were designated days where Spanish and Spanish only would be spoken in our household. Though there were periods of doubt amongst faculty given that my siblings and I accounted for less than 5% of the student population in terms of our appearance and language capabilities, my parents did not give up. They did everything the could to be involved in our journeys and dedicated time to refining their skills so they could guide us as best as they could and they did such an incredible job.
After 8 years of enrollment at The Language Academy of Sacramento in the capital city of California, I graduated as President of our Student Council, captain of our Women’s Soccer Team, Salutatorian of my class and fluent in Spanish. I went on to place in International Baccalaureate (IB) Spanish my first year of high school and was able to travel the world during and after college as I learned to own my linguistic abilities. I currently work in multicultural advertising as a social strategist helping Toyota reach its Hispanic/Latino consumers through culturally relevant strategies that resonate with diverse audiences and consumers in authentic ways. Alongside that I have built a growing community of over 150K followers across my social platforms further proving the need for the work I do and content I create.
If it wasn’t for my parents vision for me at an age where I couldn’t comprehend exactly what it was that I was experiencing, I wouldn’t be the bilingual, global-minded, and motivated business woman I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thatbilingualchick.com (launching January 2025)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatbilingualchick/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylah-williams-kw3829a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thatbilingualchick?si=-bjEZo6G49WSGDIC
