Sabrina King and Stephanie Williams
Recorded
July 23, 2023
Archived
July 23, 2023
29:32 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
mby022917
Description
Sabrina King (20) interviews Stephanie Williams (51) about her experience organizing and advocating for her community, reflecting on the barriers she has overcome as a Black woman in politics and the importance of representation. In 2018, Stephanie became the first African American Chair of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners.Subject Log / Time Code
Stephanie Williams (SW) talks about growing up on the Northside of Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of a single mother.
SW explains how she developed a passion for advocacy, organizing, and politics, telling the story of how the local police wrongfully arrested and mistreated her nephew.
SW describes how a group of Black women organized to help SW run for public office and win.
SW reflects on how there had been no representation of anyone that looked like her in local government.
Sabrina King (SK) asks SW if she faced challenges as a young Black woman navigating a predominantly white institution.
SW explains how becoming the county chairwoman was a bittersweet victory.
SW emphasizes the importance of representation.
SK asks SW what she thinks about disparities in physical and mental health and healthcare for Black women.
Participants
- Sabrina King
- Stephanie Williams