Birmingham’s Justice Williams, 32 is a Social Entrepreneur who is Editor-in-Chief of City&Style magazine, Founder of City&Style Women of the Year Awards and MD of Candy Talent CIC.
In 2009, Justice made history with being the youngest Afro-Caribbean female to receive an MBE. Ms Williams’s awards also include Cosmopolitan magazines ‘Most Inspiring Woman Of The Year’, Red magazines ‘Woman To Watch Award’ and Birmingham Power 50 as the 30th most influential person in the city.
Now in 2013 Ms Williams is a ‘Skool Girl Ambassador’ and share’s her success story with us on how she did it all!
Growing up…
I grew up in a predominantly strict family so I didn’t enjoy life as a young person so to speak, there was a lot of hard work involved, but it was enjoyable all the same.
I started volunteering at ten years of age and I used to be a voice over on my Mom’s community radio programme reading the news and weather, which was fun. I was also involved in Brownie’s, Girls Guides, and loads of activities at school because I loved school! As I got older, I was involved in many of the youth and community programmes that my Mom used to run like charities and local runs to raise money.
Ambitions & achievements…
I wanted to be a Lawyer / Solicitor – that was my dream! I got as far as filling out the application for University and being accepted to study Law and Politics. One thing led to another and I ended up dropping out of college and not getting into University.
My career path took a different journey. I felt passionate about helping other young people. After seven years of working with young people from those involved in gangs, teenage parents and young people in care I was awarded an MBE in 2009 from the Queen – this was a great honour as I was the youngest Afro-Caribbean female to be awarded.
“I was awarded an MBE in 2009 from the Queen – this was a great honour”
Test & trials…
Life itself is one big challenge! I made mistakes which cost me my freedom and I ended up in prison for a short period of time. Having a criminal record I thought, ‘how do I get around this?’ its hard to find work, so I decided to be self-employed and start my own organisation.
One of the challenges for me is not getting a lot of support for what I do, people like to say ‘Yay, congratulations, pat on the back, you are doing a great job!’ but it gets hard. However, as challenges come see it as an opportunity to learn something new.
The future…
I always say to people ‘when you die your life is your legacy.’ I would love to write books full time and to speak all over the world to young people. Part of my giving back includes being an ambassador for Citizens Advice B.O.O Charity helping young people with debt advice, housing and much more.
My future is about creating a legacy with the annual Women of The Year Awards, which will be recognising and profiling women. In the long term I would like to set up a charity to give out small grants to young women whether it’s to start up a business or to help them with personal issues.
