By: Robin M. Wilson
Dr. Shanita Williams is breaking cycles in her family and in her community. The daughter of an incarcerated father and a teenage mother, Shanita is the Vice President of People, Experiences, and Inclusion at Southern New Hampshire University and an author, TEDx Speaker, and CEO who has spent more than 10 years dedicating her time to leveling the playing field for underserved populations through equitable practices.
Dr. Williams recalls moments throughout her childhood when people made disparaging comments about her early life circumstances. Still, she also recalls the affirming words of her mother and grandmother, who she says helped shape her positive sense of self.
“I grew up understanding the impact of labels. There were a lot of labels afforded to me because of my circumstances,” Dr. Williams said. “I learned very early what stereotypes were from the way that people made assumptions about who I could become.” If anyone had a doubt about the brightness of her future, Dr. Williams says she never accepted a bleak narrative. Instead, she consciously made decisions throughout her life to rewrite the narrative by courageously challenging and applying herself.
“We all have different narratives; all of our narratives are at different stages of development.” – Viola Davis
She earned a full-ride scholarship to California State University-Sacramento, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Today, Dr. Williams holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Williams credits her success to her faith and a community of support. “I know what it’s like to be in community with people who see and support you. It makes a difference.”
“…her daughter came to realize that her worth was not wrapped up in a grade or a sticker.”
Still, she acknowledges what it is like to be in spaces where she was excluded. Dr. Williams says her personal journey and lived experiences have contributed to her commitment to work on matters of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the university level. “I became aware of the differences in treatment for people from different backgrounds through my lived experiences. It was liberating for me to fight back against stereotypes, and I wanted to do the same for other people in an intentional way.”
For more than 10 years, Dr. Williams has dedicated her time to leveling the playing field for underserved populations through equitable practices. Even now, with shifts in public policies around education and DEI programs in our nation, Dr. Williams says her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is firm and steady.
In May, Dr. Williams will be honored with the Diversity Impact Award by Career Mastered for her dedication and leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion. “I know that we have a lot of systemic inequities in the world, and it takes a lot of intentionality to make change,” Dr. Williams said. “Still, we have done it before, and we have to keep the momentum going.”
In addition to serving her community, Dr. Williams shared that she is also a wife and the proud mother of a son and two daughters. She pointed to the fact that her children have been with her on her educational journey as they were often with her as she completed her doctoral degree. “They’ve seen me preparing for exams and have gone with me to campus,” Dr. Williams said.
Dr. Williams says that her children’s lives look different from the way that her life looked as a child. Her ten-year old daughter wants to go to medical school and her nine-year-old daughter is in an academic program that gives her an opportunity to temporarily stay on a university campus to explore future program study options. Likewise, she says that her son is currently taking dual enrollment classes at a nearby university. “They all envision themselves attending and graduating from college in the future,” Dr. Williams said.
Her daughter, Jonay Elaine Williams, is also the co- author of “Unleashing Your Confidence,” a children’s book she wrote with her mother. She speaks to other young people about self-confidence and positive self-esteem. “The first time my daughter’s teacher did not give her a smiley face sticker in class for an assignment, it affected her self-confidence,” Dr. Williams said, who then encouraged Jonay to journal about how she felt in response to her teacher’s feedback. Through the process, she says her daughter came to realize that her worth was not wrapped up in a grade or a sticker. Rather, it was simply an opportunity to improve.
Whether Dr. Williams is standing in the gap for her children or for community members, she operates from a place of relational leadership and advocacy. “I have a strong belief that if people are given opportunities, equitable resources, and given an opportunity to tell their own narrative, they have the potential to do amazing things given the right conditions and support.”
To learn more about Dr. Williams and her work, visit feedbackmentality.com.
Robin Michelle Wilson is a published children’s author, greeting card designer, multidisciplinary artist, business leader, and an educator. Robin is the owner of Vesey Lane Goods LLC. She serves on the Board of Directors for ARISE Detroit.
