Meet Romel Williams | Author of the book Improbable: from tragedies to triumphs

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

Hi Romel, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
The end goal is to do the most good, for the most people. For me that is being able to host speaking engagements around the world, having book clubs discussing my book, and movie deals based on the book “Improbable”. This story needs to be told, to help others see how they can transform their trauma and tragedy into their own story of triumphs. I have seen a lot and have experienced a lot of pain. I know that all of that was not in vain. This book is the promise of joy. Many people are suffering in silence and I want them to know that there is a route through self reflection and therapy that allows for healing. More specifically, the goal is to expand my nonprofit Moving4ward2 to help more than people who have been sexually assaulted. I want to help children see their incarcerated parents on a regular basis, help families break generational curses, and build programs to help people successfully get out of domestic violence situations. Professionally, I want my own Ted Talk series, my book to be in the Oprah book club, and Moving4ward2 to transform the lives of many.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I actually work for an incredible business…Slutty Vegan Atl. What can I say about SVA? It is unlike any other restaurant I have managed. It’s absolutely fun! Pinky makes it very clear, that whatever your life goals are, they can be achieved in some way with Slutty Vegan. Many businesses frown upon their employees having their own businesses, but she encourages us all to follow the path set before us. I’m always up for the challenge. Just like any other growing business, challenge and change are inevitable. I am always willing to take those challenges head on. The road to Slutty Vegan is an interesting one. I was managing a Waffle House in Birmingham in 2020. My youngest daughter became deathly ill. At the same time the world was being introduced to Covid-19. I was put on furlough like many others. My job asked me to come back to work the first week of July, but my daughter had her second surgery scheduled. I asked for a delay and they told me if you don’t come in you will no longer have a job. I chose my daughter. Anothonita (the sister of my dear friend Abra) made a post on Facebook about giving away fabric to make masks. I began making custom face masks. I brought a few to my friend Wills bar to sell and he offered me a job. My friends Charm and her husband Wendell sent me an application on Indeed that they wanted me to fill out. They called me later and said the job was for Slutty Vegan. While working at the bar, I met quite a few city officials. One morning one of them comes into the coffee bar and says, “I need some vegan friendly coffee. I’m headed to the airport to pick up Pinky and pick up Abra to look for the Birmingham location for Slutty Vegan. I Came to Atlanta April of last year with the intentions of going back to Birmingham. But, they liked me so much they asked me to stay.
Transitioning here wasn’t easy. The housing market is nuts and my children were still in Birmingham. But its been worth it. I finished my book and have the full support of the Slutty Vegan staff to do greater things.
My nonprofit and my book are my brand. My brand is me. It was very scary and intimidating to put all my business out in this book. How would my family react, how will my children feel, how will my friends feel? Many encouraged me to push through the doubts and fears and do it anyway. All the editing was done and the cover finished, I hesitated pushing the “go live” button. When ET (Eric Thomas) comes on my TV and says, if you’re scared, do it scared. As long as you do it. And the rest is history.

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.
I’ve only been here a short time. but I do have a few favorites already. They definitely have to come get sluttified at Slutty Vegan. Grab a few drinks at Bar Vegan, before we head to the Roof at Ponce City Market for some games. We can go shopping at Zinah’s and get some beautiful custom creations. Relax and unwind at Iwi fresh oasis and listen to some live music at Josephines.

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?
Let me first say that divine intervention and timing is the reason that I am alive and productive. There are so many people who have had their hands in my success. Way too many to name. But there are 3 people specifically who have continuously poured into me. They have always encouraged me, dried my tears, prayed for me, stood up for me, and held my hand when the storms around me were too much to handle on my own. Those 3 people are my little sister (who is more like a daughter) and my 2 daughters. These young ladies are my why and are wiser than their years. They do not allow me to give up, they remind me to walk out on faith, and they keep a smile in my heart.

Website: rwilli7@gmail.com

Instagram: newd_205