Caroline Randall Williams

Caroline Randall Williams is an award-winning poet, young adult novelist, and cookbook author, who actively advocates through her work and scholarship. After earning a Phillis Wheatley Award for Young Adult Readers in 2013 for her co-authored young adult novel, The Diary of B. B. Bright, Possible Princess, Caroline Randall Williams established herself as a significant literary voice.

Her commitment to academic engagement was also marked by her appointment as Writer-In-Residence at Fisk University in 2016. In the fall of 2019, Williams joined the faculty of Vanderbilt University as a Writer-in-Residence in the Department of Medicine, Health, and Society, underscoring her interdisciplinary approach to scholarship. A year later, in 2020, she authored a highly influential opinion piece for The New York Times, titled ‘You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body Is A Confederate Monument.’ This essay critically examined personal identity and historical narratives, generating significant public discourse.

As a prominent public intellectual and sought-after speaker, Williams has lectured across twenty states, addressing diverse audiences in various venues, from school classrooms to delivering a keynote address on the Superdome mainstage during Essence Fest. Her work consistently explores the intersections of art, business, and scholarship, aiming to inspire individuals and guide corporations. Her insights and writings have been featured in numerous prominent publications, including The Iowa Review, The Massachusetts Review, CherryBombe, Garden and Gun, Essence, and The New York Times.