Thank you Kathryn and Alfred Williams, my Beautiful Parents, who saw and nurtured my great Imagination when I was a child; and whose encouragement gave me Wing and set me Free - I miss you both!
"The Happening" sung by The Supremes Written by Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, and
Frank De Vol Copyright 1967
Nikki Williams
Producer Photographer Painter
Playwright Performer Poet
Nikki Williams is in All Ways a Multi-Dimensional Artist. She has made a successful career as an Artist in Business, or as she terms it, an "ARTrepreneur," since her departure from the nine to five world in 1987.
Williams sees herself as a Multi-Languaged Artist. She speaks fluent Visual Art with the various dialects of photography, graphic design, painting, and crafting; Literature with the diverse dialects of playwriting, poetry, and prose; and Theater, speaking in the dialect of Director, Performance Artist, and Actor. Williams is also an accomplished Producer. Since 1990, she has created and produced programs and festivals celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of Artists of Color. Following the example set by her 1960's "Laying on of Hands," Sugar Hill Harlem Community, Williams designed Arts in Education programs, "The Art of Flying," as a way of ensuring that children (and adults) learn and love the Arts.
Williams has exhibited her artwork widely. Her artwork inspired her to author four coffee table books that contain her artwork and prose. "Beautiful, Also, are the Souls of My People," "Dreams Dipped in the Color of Sky," (a celebration of African American face painters and face painting), "Treble the Waded Waters" (a twenty-year collection of photographs celebrating African Americans on Easter Sunday), and "I AM: How Beautiful," a celebration of the resilient beauty of African American Men and Boys. Her first book of poetry, "Brown Women Who Fly," was turned into a theatrical production, and successfully toured college campuses and universities. Williams is the author of numerous collections of poetry and prose, and has read her work in many venues throughout the United States. She has been featured twice in articles published in Poets & Writers' print and online magazines.
Williams is proud to be involved in a number of Firsts. In March of 2024, Williams was selected to be Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Artist of the Month. In 2020, she became Ryan Health's first Artist in Residence. Continuing in her now famous, trailblazing tradition, Williams created Literary Marathons and performances (beginning with the work of Mr. Langston Hughes in 2010 and Dr. Maya Angelou in 2014). She created these programs for the express purpose of celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of Artists of Color. "B.Y.O.J. - Bring Your Own Joy," was presented in 2022, "Ah, Sookie, Sookie Now!" in 2023, and "Soul Jam Spreadin' Sweet - Are & Be Ready for a Brand New Beat," was presented in 2024. In 2021, Williams held a "Herstoric" photo shoot "Mama Movers/Sistah Shakers." Women Artists of Color, over fifty years of age, were invited to participate. The oldest Artist at the time of the photo shoot was ninety years of age. Williams is very proud that she is the first Black Woman to produce an ongoing, live, radio program celebrating Artists of Color for WHCR Harlem Community Radio - the show "Artbeat of Harlem," was broadcast on Sunday evenings from 1990 to 1998. Since the inception of her organization, Spirit in Sunset Productions in 1990, Williams has dedicated herself to honoring, and paying tribute to her Creative Colleagues. Since 1991, Williams has received numerous Proclamations and Citations from Elected Officials, in recognition of her continuing commitment to Arts and Culture.
In 2024 and 2025, Williams created artwork and presented literary programs entitled, "Soul Look Back in Wonder," and "Harlem LiT in Wonder." Inspired by the creative genius of Mr. Stevie Wonder, the artwork and programs celebrate the Blessing and Wonder of the Soul's renewal and resilience. The exhibit and programs will continue in New York in the Summer and a Festival in the Fall of 2025, before it leaves New York. to tour.
Williams continues to give all Praise to God for her continued Blessings
byojbringyourownjoy@aol.com OR spiritalkin@yahoo.com
Thank you Beloved, for your Support of Arts and Culture!