Malinda Williams is a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, particularly within the Black community. The actress, perhaps best known for her role as Bird on the televised hit “Soul Food,” enjoys helping women challenge societal norms.
Williams, 53, wrote The Game of Life & How to Slay It, a book outlining her path to the woman she is today. It describes the challenge of teaching herself to code — the language that gives a computer the instructions to produce websites and software that people use daily — so she now teaches other black women. Together with her biological sisters, she established the Arise and Shine Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that helps Black women discover their potential and broaden their skills.
Williams is helping create a space where Black women can thrive.
She is working on The E.S.T.E.A.M. Project (Empowerment through Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). It’s supposed to begin in 2024.
The plan is to host a coding camp for women at an Atlanta H.B.C.U., Williams says, hoping it leads to more Black women working in the tech industry. She spoke to rolling out about their progress.
How do you envision The E.S.T.E.A.M. Project’s long-term impact on young women?
When you educate someone, that’s something you can’t take from them. One of the things technology and The E.S.T.E.A.M. Project will also do is to draw from within. … Not only teach women how to code, but teach them how to continually teach themselves, seek answers, do research, and always be learning. If you have this type of mindset, you will never be left behind because you’ll always be looking for what’s coming down the pike and getting yourself ready for it.
Could you share more about the role of community and sisterhood and your mission to empower women?
If I can bring together people in a community, then I can also demonstrate that you can bring together people in a community. I can’t bring together the whole world, but we can bring together these smaller communities. You can start sharing, trading, and exchanging information and start being resources to each other. Start advocating for each other in these rooms and at these tables. When one Black woman wins, you’re not going to lose. We all win when you win.
What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of others?
Rather than looking to someone and what they can do for you, ask her what it is she needs support with. One thing that I have learned is there is simply no way for you to pour into someone. As you are pouring into someone, it is being poured right back into you. Your cup will just be running over consistently. It won’t get empty, so keep pouring in.
What would you consider your superpower?
My superpower is calling forth the gift that I see in others.
For more information on The E.S.T.E.A.M. project or volunteering, visit asforwomen.org or follow @malinsword on Instagram.
