Alicia D. Williams facts for kids

Alicia Diane Williams, born on September 26, 1970, is an American author and teacher. She is known for writing books for young people. Her first novel, Genesis Begins Again, came out in 2019. This book was very popular and won several important awards. It received a Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent. It was also a finalist for the William C. Morris Award and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature.

Early Life and Education

Alicia D. Williams grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After finishing high school, she went to the University of Kentucky. There, she studied African American Studies, which is about the history and culture of Black people in America. She earned her degree in 1994.

After college, Alicia moved to New York City. She trained in acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. While living in New York, she performed in plays and commercials. She also did sketch comedy, which is short funny scenes, and stand-up comedy, where a comedian tells jokes to an audience.

Later, she wanted a change and moved back to Detroit. She found a job as a flight attendant. This job meant she was based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 1999, Alicia Williams had a daughter named Nailah. She then returned to working with theater. She started writing and performing "one-woman historical shows." These were plays where she acted out different historical characters by herself.

Becoming a Writer

In 2009, Alicia decided she wanted to write a book. She started going to writing conferences to learn more about writing. In 2012, she began graduate school at Hamline University. This is a higher level of education after college.

After finishing her studies, she continued to work on her book. She was also a Teaching Artist in Charlotte, North Carolina. This means she taught art to students. In 2015, Alicia finished writing her book, Genesis Begins Again. The book was published in January 2019 by Simon & Schuster/Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Awards and Recognition

Critics generally praised Williams' first book. In 2020, she received a Newbery Honor. This is a special award for excellent children's books. She also won the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent. This award recognizes new African American authors and illustrators. The novel was also a finalist for the William C. Morris Award and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature. These awards also celebrate great books for young readers.

Her book from 2021, Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress, also won an award. It received the Jane Addams Children's Book Award. This award is for books that promote peace and social justice.

Her most recent book, Mid-Air, was published in 2024. It was recognized as a longlisted title for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. This award celebrates outstanding books for young people.

Selected Works

• Genesis Begins Again (2019)
• Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress (2021)
• Mid-Air (2024)