Poet and entrepreneur Nia Williams is aiming to add attorney-at-law to her list of accomplishments. Set to graduate from the University of Guyana (UG) law programme with a distinction this year, her next hurdle will be the Hugh Wooding Law School.
In an interview with Stabroek News on Wednesday the 21-year-old disclosed that so far, she has been able to raise $720,000 to this end, but needs another $3.4 million to facilitate her legal education.
It was participation at the 3rd Annual Youth Parliament in 2017 that ignited Williams’ interest in law and she was dubbed an exemplary debater. She ascribed her debating skills to mentorship she received from former youth parliamentarians Eden Corbin, Stephon Gabriel and Travis Bruce.
In 2018, Williams graduated from St Stanislaus College as the Best Graduating Arts Student and was on the Honour Roll having attained 13 passes (9 ones & 4 twos) at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations.
In 2020 after acquiring an associate degree in Law at the Bishops’ High School, where she pursued the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations, Williams enrolled in the Bachelors of Law programme at UG.
The innovative young woman launched Tanimi, a gift shop, as a source of income to help with the payment of tuition. According to her, this business venture eased the financial burdens of her parents and grandparents. The micro-business will be temporarily closed while she is at Hugh Wooding.
Williams, who battles dysthymia (a persistent depressive disorder) recall-ed feeling that she might give up on this pursuit, but was presented with an Award of Excellence by Vice Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin for having the highest GPA during her first academic year, which reminded her of her capabilities. She was also a beneficiary of The Femme LEX Cohort, a legal entrepreneurship mentorship programme aimed at developing disadvantaged women in the legal field, and received the FLC Excellence in Perseverance award in recognition of her extraordinary persistence and dedication despite all odds.
“I’ve always been known for balancing extra-curriculars and academics. My experience at University of Guyana was no way different, as having been afforded the opportunity to serve as President of the University of Guyana Law Society (UGLS) and Public Relations Officer of Moot Court Guyana,” she related.
At St Stanislaus College she sang, danced, and played hockey and basketball, while at the Bishops’ High she was active in the Arts Club and Law Society.
During her tenure as President of the UGLS, Willams said, the law department was able to step out of the confinement imposed by the pandemic and execute its first Law Social and Pinning Ceremony in addition to workshops on Exam Preparation and Selecting Electives.
Additionally Moot Court Guyana was able to restore the Aubrey Bishop Mooting Competition and introduce two new competitions, while also successfully sending a team to participate in the Caribbean Court of Justice Law Moot in 2023.
Williams said she was humbled at being given the opportunity to execute her mandate at the UGLS and also execute effective change within the society.
Though her academic journey was challenging, she is elated that she has come this far and urged young people to never give up on their dreams and aspirations. Her passion lies in Human Rights, Constitutional, Corporate and Company law, and Williams said she is open to taking on the herculean tasks ahead.
Apart from supportive friends and family, Williams also expressed gratitude to lecturers who played instrumental roles in her academic success, especially Head of the Law Department Dr Kim Kyte-Thomas.
Those who are desirous of contributing towards Williams’s studies at Hugh Wooding can send donations via MMG to +592-652-3835.
