Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jay Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jay, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
JW: That’s a dope question to start this interview. Earlier in my career, I really struggled with feeling like I belonged. To be honest, it was more than just a feeling; I knew I didn’t belong and some of my colleagues made that painstakingly clear. I believed I had all the skills and capabilities to excel in my field but there was no place for someone with my “unique” set of skills, talents and experiences in education, or at least that’s what I was made to believe. I had to learn to remember that what I bring to the proverbial table is an asset and should be celebrated – there’s a whole lot of them but only a few of us.
While being the only one who looks like me in a room can be challenging, it has provided me with the opportunity to stand out and make a positive impact for students and other educators who were made to feel like they didn’t belong, too. I choose to embrace my individuality and use it as a source of strength on my journey to success. I’m not going to sit up here and tell you it’s not hard – it is difficult as hell. A lesson I’ve had to remind myself of numerous times is regardless of who is in the room, who got your back, or who is hating, you need to consistently put in the work in order to succeed and more importantly, to stay there. I’ve always made sure to be ready and well-informed whether it’s moving and shaking in grassroots spaces, engaging in work on the ground with community organizations, participating in high-level system discussions and engaging in environmental scans with directors and CEOs, or presenting dynamic keynote presentations. In the end, if I could share some advice, it would be don’t let obstacles deter you; instead, view them as opportunities for growth.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
JW: Most definitely! My name is Jay Williams, based out of Toronto, Canada. I wear many hats but education is the web that connects the other titles I have. First and foremost, I’m an educator. My other roles include education consultant, brand ambassador & partner, speaker, writer and soon to be author. I have spoken and written on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion, race, Black masculinity, hip hop and culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy, teaching practices, race & anti-Black racism and equity in sports and my journey navigating through it all. As a consultant, I collaborate with organizations to address and re-educate on issues of inequity, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices. I recognize that my place in consultancy sets me apart from my counterparts due to my unique experiences and understandings, skill sets, formal and non-formal education, and if I’m being honest, my physical appearance. I’m a 6 ‘3 and 240 lbs Black male covered in tattoos. I’m quite aware of how the world has perceived me, especially in professional settings. I’m here to push back against all of that – the stereotypes, prejudices and biases, the ignorance.
The goal and the plan is to continue to engage audiences and potential clients through my public speaking, consulting, writing and coaching on topics of race, DEI, unlearning and relearning. How I go about doing that is co-creating DEI strategies with my clients to create action plans that bolster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for the entire organization in an authentic and intentional way that only I can. Understanding in many organizations accountability for diversity initiatives falls on underrepresented groups which can create undue burden on the individuals most impacted by unconscious bias and inequity, I am to dive head first into those brave, uncomfortable and often difficult conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion that often are had behind closed doors among leadership.
My social media content speaks to my perspective of issues including race, culture, education, and social justice, with a focus on how Black males navigate and experience topics of masculinity, vulnerability and manhood. I believe in the importance of being a role model to engage, empower, motivate, and inspire not only those in education but society as a whole.
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?
JW: The three qualities that I believe have been most impactful to my journey are faith, smart work, and humility. Most people’s stories have peaks and valleys, so that’s nothing new. Our faith and belief that it will all work out is what keeps us going. I used to believe in hard work being the precursor for success. In our culture, we love to glamorize the idea of “grind until you shine” and although parts of that could be true, hard work isn’t always the right path for everyone. Smart work, on the other hand, makes more sense for me. “Work smarter, not harder” – a quote that speaks to the way I move and in the work that I do. Efficiency and time management is definitely part of working smart, too. Last but not least, humility has been very impactful in my journey. I’m not afraid to ask questions when I don’t know something, or reach out to my mentors for guidance. I’m smart enough to know that I don’t know and I’m good with that. If I was to provide some direction for those just starting out on your journey, I’d remind folks to remember their why. What are their reasons for embarking on this journey? Answering these questions will help folks remain focused, productive and most impactful.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
JW: Most definitely! I am always looking for new folks to partner and collaborate with. I’m also connecting with various brands and organizations to create dope ideas for collaboration around equity, diversity and inclusion work within their respective fields, too. This work isn’t limited to schools or governmental organizations. Equity work and anti-racist practices is transferable and necessary in all fields. It requires all of us to critically self-reflect, acknowledge and address our biases and prejudices and then truly engage in some deep unlearning and relearning. These learnings and conversations are too important to not be authentically and intentionally engaged in professionally and personally. So, to be honest, most of my clients have come by word of mouth or social media. Much of the recognition my work has received has been documented and shared across various platforms. The initial which went viral was during the pandemic when we created QuarantineEd, a virtual chat for teachers to share ideas during emergency remote learning that was featured in the Toronto Star Newspaper. Educators were at home struggling in isolation with ideas for keeping students engaged. Then, George Floyd was unalived in a confrontation with the police that happened to be filmed and everyone stopped and paid attention. The focus and conversations pivoted to schools, the educational system and anti-Black racism. Being at the forefront of these conversations pushed me to continue engaging in this work as much as possible. I became extremely comfortable navigating spaces, having uncomfortable but necessary conversations, and doing this work on all levels. One client turned to two, then three and to now expanding my work. I truly believe in providing clients with what they need and require; it’s not a cookie cutter service or partnership; I strive to ensure clients get what they need. I’m grateful to have had former clients share my work widely across North America. The more people out there who are aware of what I do, I truly believe, if they’re committed to real tangible change, they’ll come knocking. To connect, please reach out through the website iamjaywilliams.com. I post content on my socials tied to the work, so check that out and follow along @iam_j_will on Instagram and @mstrjaywill on X. I check my DMs on socials if you prefer that, too. Let’s rock!
Contact Info:
- Website: iamjaywilliams.com
- Instagram: @iam_j_will
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/iamjaywilliams
- Twitter: @mstrjaywill
- Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jaywilliams
Image Credits
Colin Jack @JackFlawless
