For the month of December, we are shining the RAWK Spotlight on
JaMeelah Williams
The RAWK Spotlight is a monthly series that celebrates folx who embody and serve the mission of empowering youth voices. Folx in the RAWK Spotlight can be anyone from staff, to volunteers, to Board Members, to community partners. They are chosen by the RAWK staff team by merit of their passion, dedication, and enthusiasm for serving local youth and their community!
Keep reading to hear what JaMeelah has to say about being in the RAWK Spotlight, and hear from our community members and RAWK staff team about her work at RAWK!
Hear what our community members have to say about JaMeelah:
“JaMeelah is one of the most thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent, and funniest people I know. I feel honored to work with her and I couldn’t have asked for a better companion to navigate our first year of employment at RAWK together–over the past year she has pioneered and supported SO many integral projects at RAWK, not only for programs like Readers’ Rooms but also for internal development in the organization among the staff and Board team. She is simply that girl. The Thing 1 to my Thing 2. Thank you JaMeelah for EVERYTHING you do/are.”
Ynika Yuag (Engagement Coordinator)
“JaMeelah is such a tenderhearted youth advocate. I was fortunate enough to work alongside Jameelah this summer during KPS Summer Programming. I witnessed firsthand Jameelah’s intentional work in creating safe, affirming spaces for the young people she worked with. RAWK is better because of Jameelah’s role in the work that we do.”
Dionna Roberts (Board Member)
“JaMeelah has a passion and connection to the mission of RAWK. It shines through in her commitment to youth voice in our communities. We are thankful for her time and talents… it makes a difference.”
Monica Lloyd (Board Member)
“JaMeelah has a heart for community service and youth advocacy. Her passion to celebrate and amplify youth voices is part of the glue that holds RAWK together. We are so blessed from JaMeelah’s work, and how she shows up for RAWK and the community of Kalamazoo.”
Kandace Lavender
“JaMeelah is a hard worker and passionate about what she does and has the best intention for the youth.”
Amy Hall (Program Coordinator)
“It is an absolute honor to work and learn alongside JaMeelah. Her passion for community building and dedication to youth development have been vital to our efforts to sustain our in-school programming in our RAWK Readers’ Rooms, and her leadership and initiative continue to help us improve and grow as individuals and as a team. RAWK and Kalamazoo are better because JaMeelah exists.”
Victoria
“JaMeelah is a thoughtful and ardent advocate for youth! I appreciate her affirmation examples that teach youth how to affirm themselves and other people. The program she has established and continues to strengthen at Lincoln is a resource for students and teachers! JaMeelah is a fun and inspiring colleague!”
Caitlin DeLano (Program Facilitator: Northeastern)
“JaMeelah is doing great work with our youth. She is always there with a smile on her face. You can depend on JaMeelah to be at an event all in. JaMeelah you RAWK!”
Aaron Mason (Board Member)
“I have been friends with JaMeelah for 10+ years now and since then I have grown more and more proud of her and who she is becoming. Since starting at RAWK JaMeelah has been very helpful with answering any questions I have and welcoming me to Lincoln Elementary. I’m so excited to see the many great things that JaMeelah will continue to do at RAWK.”
Bre Burnside (Program Facilitator: Lincoln)
