We recently connected with Najya Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Najya, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My mama and grandmother instilled the importance of generosity into me from a very young age. Throughout my childhood, they would allow me to bear witness to the “random” acts of kindness they performed for their friends, involve me in donating clothes, and solicit my help in making a home-cooked meal for anyone in need. By the time I reached elementary school, my mama had to teach me that I don’t have to give EVERYTHING away and that taking care of myself first doesn’t make me an awful person. [laughter]
But that upbringing was an important foundation for me because it showed me that no matter what I am personally going through and coming up against, there are others fighting battles that I will never know. If my basic needs are met and I can go the extra mile, why shouldn’t I? Now, as an adult, generosity and communal wellness are core principles that I pride myself on and hold myself to whenever I am considering a new opportunity and/or path forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Born and raised in “Chocolate City” (Washington, DC) and currently based in Pennsylvania, I have lived a thousand lives! I am a Black woman, multidisciplinary artist and medical student at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine! Whenever I first introduce myself to people, many ask me: “How on earth do you juggle it all?” I tend to laugh because I truthfully don’t know! [laughter] However, I take pride in the challenge and privilege to hold my passions and interests in such a full and thoughtful way.
For over a decade, I have primarily worked as a literary artist who creates poetry, screenplays, stage plays, and creative non-fiction, but I also regularly venture into performance, music, and crafting. My poetry album, a mad black woman, was released in 2019 and was included in the course syllabus of Dr. Caroline Light in the Department of WGS at Harvard College. I co-produced three original short films, MORE LIFE, ALL GRAY, and BURN, in 2020 with my friend and creative partner, Hakeem Angulu. I have authored two poetry collections, Cotton (2017) and The Missing Entries: Words for Survival, which was released on November 23, 2023! A reimagined take on the pocket dictionary, The Missing Entries: Words for Survival, grapples with our understanding of heritage, intergenerational relationships, and legacy.
This past August, I won the Roxbury Poetry Festival Publisher Slam and subsequently signed a book deal with Button Poetry, the largest distributor of poetry and related media! My forthcoming project is slated to be released in Spring 2025, right in time for my medical school graduation! Right before Christmas 2023, I was also selected as one of the speakers for the 2024 TEDxDilworthPark Conference in Philadelphia, PA! Words can’t express my excited to share my “idea worth spreading”.
When I reflect on this jam-packed journey, as a woman, artist and scholar, I feel an immense sense of gratitude and honor that my God and ancestors saw fit to entrust me with these beautiful blessings.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
This is a great question! The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are integrity, kindness, and faith. Whether I am navigating the art, literary, or medical field, I’ve found that often, people are hoping to encounter those who are true to themselves and confident in what they have to offer. I haven’t always had faith in myself the way others might have expected, but with time, I realized that no one will fight for my dreams if I don’t so it’s my responsibility to believe fearlessly and passionately.
If you are just starting out in your profession or career and are a bit unsure of yourself or worried about how you will be received, I encourage you to commit yourself to simply being yourself. I know that sounds easier said than done, but the world is waiting to get to know you and what makes you special, not whatever image you believe will be most “profitable” or “lucrative”. You are already enough — lean into that understanding and allow it to guide your steps as you move forward.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I’d say my biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been learning to listen to my intuition. For a long time, I would apply to countless opportunities without really considering if they best served my purpose and principles. Now, I spend a lot more time reflecting on what is offered to me, what I hope to receive from them, what I hope to offer, and what it looks like should I decide to pass on/agree to whatever is being requested. It’s not always the most instantly gratifying practice, but it has certainly felt the most worthwhile in the long run. I’ve never felt more aligned with my path and calling than I do right now, and I believe that I owe this feeling to the intentionality I’ve invested in.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.najyawilliams.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/najyawilliams
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/najyawilliams
Image Credits
Hakeem Angulu Kavita Megha
