Malinda Williams’ Pivot From the Screen to Tech and Philanthropy
[…] The post Malinda Williams’ Pivot From the Screen to Tech and Philanthropy first appeared on SHEEN Magazine.
Black News 
“God sends you signs through people and when it is destined for you, you cannot screw it up even if you try,” said Malinda Williams. Known for her roles in The Wood, Soul Food and First Sunday, she has pivoted from Hollywood to Technology and Philanthropy, using her platform to create opportunities for young Black women.
Williams, who has long been a beloved face of 1990s and 2000s films, now focuses on initiatives that combine education, mentorship and innovation. Through the Arise and Shine Foundation and the E.S.T.E.A.M. Project, in partnership with the TD Jakes Foundation, she collaborates with historically Black colleges and universities to offer students tech training and exposure to entrepreneurship.
As a woman of faith, Williams credits her relationship with God for guiding her career and life decisions. Her journey into acting, and later technology, is a testament to the power of pivoting even during uncomfortable seasons. While navigating a period of change, she asked God how to get out of her situation. God told her that if she wanted to see something different, she would have to be something different. Around that time, she came across HTML for Dummies in a bookstore, sparking a passion for coding and web development that would shape her next chapter.
“In this season of my life I am unapologetically, radically obedient to the voice that says now go or sit down,” said Williams. “That is what has gotten me where I am today.”
Her foundation work has reached students at Jackson State University in 2024 and Florida A&M University, where she hosted the 2025 Coding Bootcamp and E.S.T.E.A.M.ED Summit. The coding bootcamp is set to return to Florida A&M this year, alongside new programming for younger girls in Pontiac, Michigan, expanding access to technology education at the K-12 level.
“My goal is to demystify technology. There are so many pathways that can be taken into technology. Black women are technology. We are the magic that feeds into the system,” Williams said.
Williams also recently partnered with Black Girl Vitamins, a Black-owned health and wellness company, to promote awareness of the unique nutritional needs of Black women. Her collaboration was launched during Women’s History Month as part of the brand’s “One Woman, Many Hats” campaign.
Through her faith, advocacy and dedication, she continues to create pathways for the next generation of Black women to thrive in spaces where they have been historically underrepresented.
The post Malinda Williams’ Pivot From the Screen to Tech and Philanthropy first appeared on SHEEN Magazine.
