Keisha Williams

 
A photo of 2024 Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity Keisha Williams.A darkskinned Black woman, she appears against a white background, wearing a blue shirt, her hair in long locs, and an easy smile.

Executive Director, The Women’s Resource Outreach Centre


For over five years, I’ve worked tirelessly within marginalised communities, amplifying their voices and striving to dismantle systemic barriers, through facilitation, advocacy, research, and monitoring and evaluation.

As a Jamaican woman, I’m deeply steeped in the principles of Black feminism, which propel my work. My mother, the first Black feminist I encountered, became my guide, imparting invaluable lessons on navigating the world as a dark-skinned Jamaican woman. In a society tainted by colourism and entrenched colonialist and patriarchal norms, she instilled in me the strength and power to carve my path.

My academic journey also led me to delve into gender and development studies, laying the foundation for my commitment to community development and advocacy. In my role as the executive director of the Women’s Resource Outreach Centre in Jamaica, I aim to challenge the complexities of race, class, and intersecting inequalities, believing that true empowerment must address these multifaceted dynamics.

My identity, experiences, and unyielding passion fuel my pursuit of a world where equality and justice are not mere ideals but everyday realities for all, irrespective of background or circumstance.