Speaker Spotlight – Marta Alcala-Williams
Parent/Family/Community Engagement Leader, Asheville City Schools
Month: April | Theme: Inclusivity
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your practice.
Making sure I have a racial equity lens in all of my work and the way I show up.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A dancer and then a labor and delivery nurse. Instead went to school for a BA in psychology
Can you remember when you first learned about your field of work? How did you discover what it was, and how did you know it was what you wanted to do?
After I had my children I knew that I had to delve deep into race because my children are bi-racial and how would I support in navigating the world as a Latina with kids that experience my roots and also the anglo side.
What is the best part and hardest part of your job?
Best part is having a group of women that meet weekly for years and growing that are speaking truth every week, discussing racial equity and justice.
Hardest part is having to remind some white folks about privilege and fragility.
What on-the-job tools do you use every day?
Language and processes that reflect social justice and equity.
What about your community inspires you?
Having accountability partners that are in positions of power and sharing the power for all of us to thrive and heal.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
“Inquire, listen and then share and reflect on what you heard”
Can you name a moment of failure in your business experience that you learned from or that helped you improve your business or the way you work?
Yes, when I first started working for ACS I went into community suggesting ideas and programs and that did not stick. When I partnered and inquired about “what would be beneficial to move community forward then we developed the relationships that now have in Motheread and at Marvelous Math Club
What books/resources (if any) would you recommend to someone interested in furthering their creative practice, or starting a creative business of their own?
My grandmother’s hands, Just Mercy and to go see Brian Stevenson at UNCA on April 25th at 7:00 PM
If you were magically given three more hours per day, what would you do with them?
I would partner with more leaders of color to connect with MMC leaders, go on more vacations and get more massages.
Who are your favorite creators and makers, local and beyond?
Nadine Burke Harris
Anything else you’d like to share?
Feeling grateful for the opportunity to share what inclusivity means to me.
