Meet Heidi Williamson | Principal Creative at Hummingbird Black Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heidi Williamson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heidi, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
A book that impacted me most is Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. The girl in the book, Lauren, is a super empath. People tend to talk about being an empath negatively or as a passive characteristic. But for Lauren, it is a superpower that she embodies, and I love that. The author, Octavia Butler, took many of the issues I’ve dealt with in my political career and shaped it into a future where Black women were still doing the wholly impossible. Black women were visible and shaping this world and the next. This book showed me not only how Black women can survive anything but that our ability to weather these political, economic, and social changes in the US is not just about our lot in life. We can thrive despite all the things happening around us. The future is ours. The future is Black. The future is female. There is a religious message also Octavia wrote: “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change.” That was the 1st version of “Be the change you want to see.” It is a core belief that spoke to every version of Heidi.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
No, none of what I have accomplished has been easy. I just jumped. I was miserable in my previous career, and it was time for a change. At the end of the day, you have to feel the fear and do it anyway. Inca Mohamed, a dear friend of mine, gave me a book called, Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. because she was worried I was letting my fear paralyze me. It did to some extent. I hated life. I hated that I was making a safe choice, and it wasn’t choosing me. When I understood that fear, I was able to change my mindset. You have to be strategic when trying to pursue your dream. But first, you have to have a clear goal. Artists who create content are used as a utility for a lot of people. Unless you are actively making people a lot of money in some regard, no one really cares what you do. But for me, it is about creating art for money while also doing something for myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Jojo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge in Downtown ATL
Ray’s In the City for good food and drink
Cascade Family Skating
The Patio Social Club, a Cigar lounge in South Cobb
Soul Vegetarian for good vegan soul food in southwest Atlanta
Arden’s Garden for delicious pressed juices and smoothies
Sight-seeing in Downtown Decatur or East Point
Visit the old Ebenezer Baptist church where the MLK family were members

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There isn’t a specific group or organization, but there is what I like to call “my advisory board of friends for life and career.” All are strong Black women from various walks of life. They are all powerful in their own way. They have helped me grow to be sure and step into my destiny. My sister circle of friends, advisors, colleagues, and associates include:

Renitta Shannon
Deon Haywood
Aimee Thorne-Thompson
Elizabeth Johnson
My grandmother, Lucille Law
Inca Mohamed
MaryKay Penn
Mary Burley
Laura Jimenez

Website: https://www.hummingbirdblackcreative.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmmngbrdblk/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-williamson-26211511/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HmmngbrdBlack

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hmmngbrdblk