Congresswoman Nikema Williams will deliver the commencement address to Talladega College’s 2022 graduates on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 9 AM on the Quad.
Congresswoman Williams was born in Columbus, GA, and raised by her grandparents in Smiths
Station, Alabama. She attended Talladega College – a liberal arts Historically Black College
(HBCU) in Talladega, Alabama – where she was initiated into the Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She has been recognized as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s 100 Most Influential Georgians, Forty under Forty, Power 30 Under 30, Outstanding Atlanta, and Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. As State Senator, she received the Freshman Legislator of the Year award from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and the 2020 Pinnacle Leadership Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Recently, she was awarded the ACLU of Georgia’s Dare to Create – Liberty Award.
She is a fierce advocate for social justice, women, and families. As a former grocery store cashier, union member, special needs educator in Georgia’s Fulton and Clayton Counties, caregiver to her mother, and a mother of a young Black son; Congresswoman Williams understands the issues most important to Georgia’s 5th Congressional District. These experiences fuel her journey in Congress.
“We are pleased to have Mrs. Williams serves as this year’s commencement speaker,” said Dr. Lisa Long, acting President of Talladega College. “She is one of the institution’s most prized alums, and I truly feel that her accomplishments will serve as an inspiration for our graduates.”
Congresswoman Williams was elected as the Freshman Class President for the 117th Congress. As President, she organizes and advances the interests of her Freshmen Democratic colleagues to fulfill their oath to work for the people. Congresswoman Williams currently sits on the exclusive Financial Services Committee and the influential Transportation and Infrastructure and Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. In addition, she has membership in several caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic Women’s Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Voting Rights Caucus, LBGTQ+ Equality Caucus, and the HBCU Caucus.
In addition to fighting for voting rights and racial justice, she has never wavered in her conviction that every woman should have bodily autonomy and control their personal health care decisions. Prior to her service in Congress, Williams was Vice President of Public Policy at Planned Parenthood Southeast. During Congresswoman Williams’ tenure with PPSE, not a single major piece of anti-choice legislation was passed in Alabama, Georgia, or Mississippi.
