Today we’d like to introduce you to Melaina Williams
Hi Melaina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Arts were the backdrop to my childhood from watching my father draft ideas for a custom wood cabinet full of carved curved corners, to my mother breaking down the songwriting and performance beauty of an Annie Lennox song as we rode in the car with the windows down. Design, music, writing, movement were all around me and fueled the creative flame in my soul. As early as seven, I was writing, telling and singing stories. I would write in journals that I wanted to be an “inspirational poet like Maya Angelou” and would study Whitney Houston performances. These dreams were those of an “extrovert” but I was the little girl who cried if you simply asked my name. I was this creative, outgoing artist in my home but once I got outside of my comfort zone, I was quiet and reserved. It wasn’t until high school that I mustered up the bravery to share the “Melaina” I kept hidden from the world. Sophmore year at St. Mary’s Academy I tried out and played the role of Meg in “Little Women” and the rest was history. I would leave St. Mary’s to complete my last two years of high school at FKCP III Christian Schools and attend the University of Southern California to major in Creative Writing with a minor in Theatre. After college, I pursued the wild west of the entertainment world; headshots, auditions and many headaches. But I never lost heart and would find myself writing a full-length play entitled, “Papa Plays the Bass,” professionally writing and recording with signed music artists and would enroll in the Community Literature Initiative. Out of the Community Literature Initiative would come my first book of poetry, “Bless Your Sweet Bones,” published by World Stage Press. This press was born out of the historic World Stage performance space in Leimert park where my grandfather, Alan “Kopkeye” Hines, a respected LA jazz musician, would play. I have since self-published a chapbook entitled, “The Humble Commode.” I was a contributing writer for the online poetry magazine “Motherscope” for two years during which I was also published in their anthology “Generations” and recently, contributed to the “Sorority of Bereaved Mothers,” published by Mama’s Kitchen Press. All of these opportunities and experiences support me as I guest lecture, facilitate writing workshops, record my own music and perform poetry, theatrical scripts and music on a plethora of stages.
Interestingly, there’s a thread being constantly weaved through my creative life: my faith. As much as my household was creative, it was spiritual. My father received his call of evangelist and my mother, a teacher which, instilled in me the importance of following God’s call above all others. My first experience of singing was hymns at home and then my mother signed me up for children’s choir. I learned that creativity was sourced from God. So, while I was taking “Intro to Poetry” and “Acting 202” in college, I was also drawn to Religion classes like “Christianity in America,” “Eastern Religions,” “The Rock: The Study of Judaism, Islam & Christianity”. I laughingly tell people I was a secret religion major. I was so drawn to learning about other faith practices. It posed questions and challenges but more than anything it helped me better understand my faith. After five years in the administrative workforce (while pursuing my writing and entertainment career as well), I pivoted to a career path that I never expected: Associate Chaplain for The Episcopal College Ministry at USC. I started singing with a talented group of USC jazz and pop musicians and vocalist as the non-denominational Christian group “MiX:LA”. We held services at the University Lutheran Church, UCLA and St. Philip’s The Evangelist in Los Angeles under Priest in Charge, The Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Libby. There I would find myself counseling college students, preaching and teaching sermons on Sundays, leading worship, helping facilitate food programs, bilingual services and church administration. It was after 4 years that I would fully transition into serving in my home church, Crenshaw Christian Center under the leadership of Dr. Frederick K. Price. It was a full circle moment and the ministerial training I received in college ministry prepared me for the new voyage I would embark on at my church. I volunteered for 8 years as a vocalist in the choir and on the worship team until I was brought on as a Worship Leader and administrative staff in the Worship Arts Department. I was ordained this past May, which has been deeply humbling and has challenged me in a fruitful way. I have a deep love for my church home and am grateful to be welcomed to serve creatively in ministry. Makes me think of my grandmother, Shirley Adams, who passed away December 2022 in New Iberia, Lousiana. Attending her memorial was a revelation that just as I had ancestral roots to music and artistry, I also had deep roots in Christian ministry. She was an ordained minister, along with a long line of family who served in pastoral roles and church administration. One of the family names was The Archangels so you can imagine the inspiration this gave me in this journey of service to God and the community. I left Louisiana with a charge to live boldy the faith that had sustained me and so many generations before me.
So now, I find these two worlds of mine colliding in ways that bring great purpose and joy. From writing new worship songs, pursuing personal creative ventures and leading worship on Sunday mornings, I am being led into living a whole life. I don’t see any of my work as exclusive to Christians as I follow Christ’s example in that my work, my vision is for all people to experience and come to know the redemptive, healing, restorative and loving power of God: The Source of all good things, especially creativity.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has not been smooth but it has been guided and I attribute that to trusting that God has been and is directing my steps. My book of poetry came out of a season where funding for college ministry had run out. I remember feeling anxiety about the big life change I was about to undergo but I also had a confidence that it was all according to THE PLAN. During that time of unemployment, I dived into healing past creative & inner child wounds of rejection through reading “The Artist’s Way” Julia Cameron and “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. As I mentioned, I enrolled into the Community Literature Initiative where I weekly met with writers as we all worked to complete our book of poetry. I had an influx of ideas, creative energy and opportunities. I didn’t have the flexible life of my peers who had a steady paycheck but I did have the free heart of an artist who was creating product and building a resume that would allow me opportunities for future income.
These days it’s balancing artistry with homelife that can be difficult. I am happily married to my husband James Williams, and we have two lovely children who are two years apart. I experienced high blood pressure after giving birth to my first child and had to be readmitted to the hospital for 2 days. I experienced a low level of postpartum depression and I found it difficult to create in the midst of learning the ropes of motherhood. A saving grace for me during this time was daily journaling. Even when I didn’t feel like I was creating, I permitted myself to write my thoughts. It was therapy and by the time I was pregnant with my second, I was writing non-stop and contributing to the Motherscope poetry magazine. I believe this experience taught me that as artists, sometimes we are living in a “download” season. This is a time of taking it all in, observing, feeling our feelings, simply being. Then the “sharing season” arrives where you finally can express what you’ve experienced. You can look back at yourself from a third person view and get to the root of your story. I find it easier and beneficial to include my children in my creation process now. I also value carving out personal time where I can be alone to create. I am grateful for every challenge past and present. Challenges forge the life of the creative. Just being a creative in a world that questions your validity is challenge enough and the only way to face that challenge is to never surrender: KEEP CREATING.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a writer, vocalist, actor/performer and minister. As a writer, I specialize in poetry and song-writing. As a vocalist, I find my roots in gospel, jazz, soul and rock. As an actor, I love performing on the stage in theatre and music events. As a minister, I take the responsibility to make sure my work glorifies God and is life-giving.
I am so grateful to have offered a powerful poetry imprint thus far; one book, one chapbook and a great number of published poems in anthologys and online magazines. I am looking forward diving deeper music and releasing original work that extends beyond genres. I am most fufilled when I can share my written and recorded work live. The energy of people hearing what they’ve read and seeing them receive a new perspective or experience the connection they have to the work is life-changing for me. I don’t want anyone to walk away from my work and say “She can sing!” or “She can write!” I want them to leave and say, “I feel free after hearing that poem.” or “I’m inspired to follow my dreams.” The artists I love that have changed me forever like August Wilson, Toni Morrison, Lauryn Hill, Helen Baylor, CeCe Winans and the list goes on and on, are the people whose works challenged me, taught me, inspired me and charged me to change the atmosphere; leave nothing as it was.
Then there is worship leading that is in a league all it’s own. Many people think it’s just singing and it’s unfortunate that it sometimes is approached that way. But my experience is one of vulnerability, complete joy and strength. Singing praises to God from the heart is a transcendent experience where I meet God face to face. Then I have the humble opportunity to lead others in doing the same. I feel the weight of accountability but also the love of encouraging others to trust Jesus.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the sunshine and melting pot that is LA. I also love the creativity that you find on the stage and the streets. I hear people say that LA people are fake and that always makes me cringe because I know they can’t be in the communities and neighborhoods I greatly love. I was born in Inglewood, California and have been all around LA county. LA is only Hollywood if you want it to be; if that’s the stereotype you are looking for. The LA I know is quiet Inglewood neighborhoods with kids playing in the summer sun. The LA I know is Liemert Park on a Wednesday evening for the Anansi Writers Workshop at The World Stage. The LA I know is delicious, fresh made burgers at Fresh and Meaty and green onions on Ramona’s burritos. LA is gumbo at your mama’s house on New’s Years Day and free events in front of the Dorothy Chandlier Pavillion. It’s Dodger nights and parades and pop-up performances by your favorite artists at the Forum.
And while my least favorite thing about the city is it’s traffic, good music or a call with a good friend and a ice cold drink in the cup holder will get you from point A to B. So long live LA!
Pricing:
- Bless Your Sweet Bones $20.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.worldstagepress.org/product/bless-your-sweet-bones-melaina-williams/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melainawilliams/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063541508673
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melainawilliams3139
Image Credits
Keep Shoot’n Photography – Kelly Parkinson (Pics #5 and #8)
