Davion Williams, a double major in law and social thought and English, will be wrapping up his final year at UToledo as a published poet and writer. While his poem can be found in the book, “Death Never Dies: Mourning” by Lee Fearnside, being a writer was never his original plan.
Originally, Williams was heading towards the legal route, as many of his family and friends encouraged him to do so. He initially declared his major as law and social thought. While he was grateful for all the support and encouragement, he came to the realization that he did not want to be a lawyer. His true passion was writing, and one professor played a pivotal role in helping Williams see his potential as an accomplished writer.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2023 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at spring commencement.
After Williams took an African American literature class with Dr. Kimberly Mack, an associate professor of English, she was impressed by the quality of his writing and assumed Williams was an English major. When Mack learned Williams wasn’t an English major, she encouraged him to consider that as an academic focus.
“She believed in me and she thought I had something to nurture,” Williams said.
Added Mack: “Davion is a gifted writer and a budding intellectual. I very much enjoyed having him in class and working with him on his undergraduate research project.”
Williams is most passionate about the Black community and reflects that focus within his writing. Many of his pieces correlate with African American communities, neighborhoods and systemic social problems.
Williams
He wrote a piece that was authentic to him and his life story as an African American man. He was encouraged by others to submit it for an essay contest, and to his surprise, he won the College of Arts and Letters Dean’s Office Short Prose Essay Award in 2022. Williams realized then that his writing could be taken seriously and impact others.
Besides writing, Williams was involved in Alpha Phi Alpha, a Black Greek letter organization that is a part of the Divine Nine. The mission of Alpha Phi Alpha aligned perfectly with Williams’ personal goals: to educate and uplift the Black community from racial inequities. Additionally, Willams is a diversity assistant with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and feels strongly about implementing DEI throughout campus.
After graduation, Williams plans to be an entrepreneur, writer and poet. Through his most recent publishing, he realized contracted performances allow him to be paid for his work, which means he is getting paid to do what he loves.
As he continues his journey, Williams said he is encouraged by the words of Dr. Deirdre Perlini, a lecturer in English and one of his instructors: “The moment you begin comparing yourself to others is the moment you begin to lose joy.”
“Dr. Perlini encourages her students to pay attention to their natural gifts and begin nurturing those,” he said. “She said once you do that, your potential will be maximized.”
