For Williams, deciding on Political Science wasn’t about theory or policy. It was an intentional choice to study systems of power extisting in the country and how she could change them. Her Spanish minor? A bridge. “Studying a language opens your mind to different realities,” she says. “It connects you to others in a deeper way.” As she prepares for law school, Williams envisions a future where she can speak on behalf of both the Black community and Spanish-speaking individuals, particularly those facing injustice and systemic obstacles.
Global Service, Deep Impact
Williams' view of justice and community has been immensely molded by her hands-on work in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince; with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota; and in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Still, she makes it known: service isn’t about saviorism.
“There’s a difference between helping and having a savior complex,” she says. “It’s about entering communities with humility, leaving your comfort behind, and connecting with people where they are.”
Haiti touched her on a deeply personal level—after learning that her late grandmother was from Port-au-Prince, the trip unfolded as a meaningful voyage inward. In each place she served—planting gardens, cooking traditional meals, playing with children—Williams felt herself come alive. “Travel is the most world-changing experience. It’s confirmed for me that real change comes from building relationships across cultures, languages, and beliefs.”
Justice Beyond the Courtroom
Williams has lots of passion for civil rights, but her definition is expansive. “I’m pursuing justice not just in the legal sense,” she says. “I’m seeking God’s definition of justice—healing for the broken-hearted, freedom for the forgotten, help for the fatherless and foodless.”
She aims to advocate for people whose lives are affected by systemic oppression—racism, sexism, classism—and work to disrupt the systems that harm them. “It’s a non-traditional path,” she admits. “But I’ve never been called to tradition.”
Writing, Wellness, and Black Excellence
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Williams launched BlackEminence, a blog and wellness platform deep-seated in the belief that Blackness can equal excellence. “I use the word ‘can’ not because we’re not already excellent, but because we each have a role to play in reaching that excellence,” she explains.
Her blog concentrates on the intersection of trauma, health, and healing—challenging cultural norms that undermine conversations around mental and physical wellness in the Black community. “I was tired of seeing us suffer silently,” she says. “I turned my pain into purpose. I believe when we heal mentally, spiritually, and physically, we reclaim our freedom.”
A Seat at the Table
Williams' internship with the United States Senate ingrained in her more than just policy—it taught her resilience. “I dealt with a lot of self-doubt and imposter syndrome,” she recalls. “But I remembered my preparation at Spelman, and I learned to walk confidently in the rooms I was called into.”
She credits Spelman’s W.E.L.S. Program and her personal faith journey for enabling her to show up authentically, even in new, high-pressure environments. “I reminded myself: you were chosen for this. Now act like it.”
Leading with Heart
Her work with the Campus Vote Project and I Choose Life Ministries helped her pinpoint her leadership style—one rooted in creativity, flexibility, and purpose. “At Campus Vote Project, I had to learn how to advocate for myself while advocating for others,” she shares. “With I Choose Life Ministries, I tapped into my creative side to engage young people and meet them where they were.”
These roles didn’t just build her resume—they developed her character. “Leadership isn’t just about meeting goals. It’s about growing through the unexpected.”
Looking Ahead: A Non-Traditional Blueprint
After Spelman, Williams aims to go to Divinity School before law school—a decision that aligns her activism with her faith. “Before I advocate in court, I want to be rooted in love and spiritual healing,” she says. Her dream is to launch a wellness and legal practice that offers support holistically—spiritual guidance, legal aid, mental health resources, and physical wellness.
“I want to build a space where people come to be restored.”
Education as Liberation
When asked about the role of education in social justice, Williams didn't hesitate to respond: “It’s the cornerstone. It’s why our ancestors were kept from it. It’s why so many around the world still are.”
To future generations, she suggests this: “Don’t wait for someone to hand you the tools. Seek knowledge relentlessly. Educate yourself, then use what you’ve learned to build bridges and break chains.”
Jadyn Williams isn’t just dreaming of justice—she’s building it, one relationship, one blog post, one act of selfless service at a time. And though her path is untraditional, it’s guided by something stronger than convention: purpose.