The fight for liberty, equity, and justice against racism has been ongoing for centuries. Many people in history have taken on this fight in varying capacities, impacting individuals, communities and the world in different ways. Sonia L. Williams-Lewis joined the league of those fighters, determined to make a difference. From the age of seven, she began to show how undeterred she can be with causes she strongly believes in.
Sonia L. Williams-Lewis, M. Ed. is an equity expert and founder of ASCRIBE Educational Consulting LLC and Edify Humanity 501c3. She is not just a fighter for equity in the world; she has walked the entire length of her journey implementing equity strategies centering humanity.. Sonia L. Williams-Lewis showed the first signs of being an indomitable young woman at the age of seven when she refused to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance because she neither saw, nor experienced “liberty and justice for all.”
Growing up, she quickly recognized the need to take her public education seriously, as she acquired qualifications enabling her to walk through doors traditionally closed to people from her shared community. She obtained a degree in History and Psychology from Spelman College, a Master’s degree in Education and Secondary Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University, so as to boldly benefit from the privilege of being “qualified,” to speak on issues associated with educational equity..
She focused on teaching for nearly two decades and became known for showing up as an advocate for the most marginalized in the community. She embodies not just the characteristics described by the lyrics of LL Cool J’s popular 1990 song “Around the Way Girl,” her integrity epitomizes what it means to be streetwise and book smart.
A proud wife, mother, educator, entrepreneur, author, and thought leader, she is tickled and humbled by those who describe her as an “unflinching, unapologetic community warrior.” She is committed to ensuring equity in the world through a variety of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, like, but not limited to, auditing policies and procedures, aligning missions and visions with service-based needs, and healing the harms of racism and disparity so they aren’t revisited on the next generation.
Her company, ASCRIBE Educational Consulting LLC, specializes in transformative equity strategies for individuals, communities, and organizations. Her nonprofit, EDIFY Humanity 501c3, tackles border issues associated with racism, marginalization, discrimination, and other societal norms that divide and exclude.
Sonia L. Williams-Lewis believes every organization should have an equity specialist that makes sure their work culture and environment are cohesive, progressive, and healthy for everyone, regardless of race and social standing. ASCRIBE Educational Consulting LLC offers different services, associated with professional and personal development which most sustainably leads to mindset shifts that change belief and behaviors. Part of the approach intentionally includes the addressing of representation. If organizations are to seriously endeavor efforts of inclusivity, they must be intentional about hiring and retention efforts that replicate the world in which we live.
Oftentimes organizations allow the beliefs and behaviors of a few, shape the culture and climate for the masses. In light of the public murder of Geoprge Floyd, Sonia conitues to challenge organizational leaders to go beyond the acknowledgement of racism, by urging commitments to training that require time and resources. Its not just the professional and personal development that matters, some leaders require individual coaching, so the curation of anti-racist work and learning environment can sustain the test of time and the bend of the moral arch.
Sonia has positioned ASCRIBE to offer speaker services, workshop facilitation, webinar and content development, program moderation, etc, where she infuses observable behavior patterns in the classroom, her lived experiences, and dynamics of the power structure to articulate the need to concretely work towards equity and mitigate the harm of racism. The goal and hope is to dig deep at the root of the problems associated with racism, implicit biases, and social inequities. It is no longer enough to acknowledge the systemic, institutional, and structural impacts of racism. Right now, organizations must be willing to invest and take a stand to improve the situation for the greater good of everyone..
ASCRIBE Educational Consulting takes pride in delivering transformative client experiences that leverage equity. Sonia’s primary goal is to create long-term shifts that positively impact an organization’s bottom line of productivity. The company’s approach entails using leadership and utilizing the varied perspectives of marginalized people to develop strategies that lift and center both their needs and voices.
Sonia L. Williams-Lewis looks forward to a world where people from disenfranchised groups have access to all the resources and tools needed to thrive in every area of life. She helps organizations and individuals imagine an anti-racist world, so future genreations won’t have to heal from racialized trauma. But, it starts with recognizing time is of the essence for engaging courageous conversations about race, racism, and white supremacy. This is what it means to build and sustain the anti-racist world we all deserve to live in.
