Rise of the Queendom: SDS staff, Angelika Williams, wins Exceptional Woman of Color Award

SDS External Affairs Coordinator, Angelika Williams, was named as one of the Sac Cultural Hub Media Foundation’s 2025 “Exceptional Women of Color” on September 23 during their 17^th Annual Exceptional Women of Color (EWOC) Awards & Expo in Sacramento, CA. Designed to nurture partnerships with local Sacramento corporate and community partners, the EWOC supports women and girls of color making strides in various sectors from government relations, community activism, management, education and research, health, sport & wellness, and more.

Williams was among the 2025 honorees, taking home the award for Exceptional Woman of Color in Communications and Public Affairs. The annual event featured a vendor expo, dinner, awards reception, and keynote presentations.

Check out the Q&A below with Angelika as she reflects on her journey, from her early beginnings as an empathetic kid looking for ways to help those around her, to filling her days with the life-affirming work in her current role as External Affairs Coordinator for Sierra Donor Services, raising awareness around the importance of conversations about organ donation within communities of color.  

Q&A:

Q: How did you first get connected with the Sac Cultural Hub and its network of leaders, changemakers, and advocates?

A: I got connected after being nominated and selected for the award this year! Michael Coleman, my boss, was the one who nominated me. When I heard the news that I was selected, I was excited because I had always known of Sac Cultural Hub and its respected name in the community.

Q: The SCHMF has long championed women of color. How does it feel to be recognized by an organization so rooted in community empowerment?

A: Being recognized by an organization like Sac Cultural Hub Magazine is both humbling and deeply meaningful. I feel extremely honored and inspired, especially being alongside so many other amazing women who are recognized and many who are far more into their careers than me! More importantly, I feel validated by a platform that understands the unique challenges and triumphs that come with this journey. SCHMF is a movement that uplifts, informs, and inspires, so to be acknowledged by such a valued force in community empowerment feels like being seen by family who not only recognize my work but also the heart behind it. It reinforces the importance of staying true to my purpose and continuing to elevate others along the way.

Q: What kind of community do you feel SCHMF is building, and how does your work align with or support that vision?

A: Sac Cultural Hub is building an empowered, informed, and culturally connected community – one that prioritizes health equity, celebrates heritage, and uplifts the voices and stories of our Black and Brown communities. Their work goes beyond media because it’s also about advocacy, access, and amplifying the issues that truly matter to our communities. In my role at Sierra Donor Services, I advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation, especially within communities of color, which make up nearly 80% of California’s transplant waitlist. My work involves public education, building meaningful relationships with community partners, and helping share the powerful stories of donor heroes, recipients, and those still waiting. We are doing the kind of grassroots, culturally-informed outreach that dispels misinformation, builds trust, breaks down barriers, and literally saves lives. That’s the heart of community empowerment. Together, we’re both helping to create a healthier, more informed, and more connected future.

Q: Was there a moment or experience in your life that sparked your passion for service and advocacy? Share a bit about your journey and what led you to your work in the non-profit space.

A: I’ve always known I wanted to help others; I just didn’t always know what that would look like. Even as a kid, I felt a deep sense of empathy and care for people. I was the one who looked out for others, who wanted to fix things, and to make people feel safe, seen, and supported. That sense of compassion for humanity has always been a part of who I am. Over time, that natural empathy evolved into a passion for service and advocacy, especially as I started to understand the real-life impact of systemic inequities. What led me to organ, eye, and tissue donation was through an old co-worker, Kyla Irving, who believed in and saw my passion and work ethic, but what ultimately made me committed to this work was learning how communities of color (my communities) are disproportionately affected. At SDS, I found the opportunity to combine education, relationship-building, and storytelling to create real change and save lives. I appreciate that what I do isn’t just work, it’s a calling to serve and empower the very communities I’m a part of.

“I’ve always known I wanted to help others; I just didn’t always know what that would look like. At SDS, I found the opportunity to combine education, relationship-building, and storytelling to create real change and save lives. I appreciate that what I do isn’t just work, it’s a calling to serve and empower the very communities I’m a part of.”

– Angelika Williams, Sierra Donor Services External Affairs Coordinator (pictured left with Michael Coleman, Sierra Donor Services External Affairs Director)

Q: The theme this year was “Rise of the Queendom.” What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome on your path to leadership?

A: A personal challenge has been developing confidence in my own voice as a leader. Early on, I often second-guessed myself (sometimes I still do) or felt the need to shrink in certain spaces. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my instincts and lead with purpose. “Rise of the Queendom” really speaks to that journey of owning my space, using my voice, and lifting others as I rise. One of the biggest challenges in my role has been building trust in communities where medical mistrust runs deep, especially when advocating for organ, eye, and tissue donation in communities of color. It takes time, consistency, and genuine connection to shift perspectives and open the door for honest conversations.

Q: What impact has your work had on the community you serve? Can you share an example that’s especially meaningful to you?

A: Although measuring the impact of my work can be hard, the most meaningful moments to me are when I am able to speak one-on-one with someone in the community and we have a genuine conversation about donation. The most important ones are with those who feel a little apprehensive about donation but end up leaving the conversation with a whole new outlook and attitude about it. Most of these conversations are with people of color, and I feel proud and reassured in everything I am doing after those types of interactions. I also find meaning in my connection with our youth. I enjoy when their curiosity about donation yields more questions because that is how I know the information I’ve given made them think deeper and offer a heightened sense of care about it.

Q: What advice would you give to a young woman of color who wants to create change through nonprofit work but doesn’t know where to start?

A: Start with your why. You don’t need to have it all figured out (I did not for a long time), just a genuine passion to serve and a willingness to learn. Think about the issues that move you, the stories that stick with you, and especially the communities you feel most connected to. That’s often where your purpose forms

It’s normal to try out something and realize you may need to be in a different space, but as long as you remain true to yourself, you will end up exactly where you need to be and you’ll always take lessons with you along the way.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of showing up. Volunteer, attend community events, reach out to organizations doing work you admire, even if it’s just to learn more. Relationships are everything, and sometimes the right conversation can open a door you didn’t even know existed!

And finally, trust that your voice matters. As a woman of color, your lived experience is a strength, not a setback. The nonprofit world needs your perspective, your leadership, and your heart. You belong here, even if you have to carve your own path to get in.

Q: Who are the queens in your life who helped you rise — mentors, ancestors, or community leaders?

A: I’ve been incredibly blessed to be surrounded by remarkable women who have shaped who I am. My mom’s selflessness, strength, and resilience are unmatched. She has a way of making everyone feel seen, valued, and completely at ease. What I admire most is her unwavering optimism – no matter the setback, loss, or heartache, she always finds the light. Her outlook on life has taught me how to lead with love, grace, and hope. (Angelika pictured right with her mother)

My sister is another queen who’s had a huge impact on me. She’s incredibly successful in her career and has always pushed me to stay motivated and focused on my goals. But beyond that, she’s given me unconditional support and guidance. Her love and belief in me have shaped the way I see myself.

I also come from a long line of strong, independent women on both my mom’s and dad’s sides – my aunts, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. My “Nanny,” my grandmother on my mom’s side, was the heart of our family. She made sure we grew up close, loving, and bonded, and she taught me what family truly means. On my dad’s side, my great-grandmother lived past 90 and remained fiercely independent until the very end and her strength lives on in all of us.

And I can’t forget my friends, the queens who pour into me daily! They keep me grounded, inspired, and supported. With them, I can be my most authentic self. They give me a safe space to vent, to laugh, to cry, and just to be. I’m so grateful for the sisterhood we’ve built, and I don’t take that for granted.

All these women, family, and friends have helped me rise by reminding me who I am, where I come from, and what I’m capable of. Their love is my foundation.

Be sure to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor TODAY!