Kimball Williams (Leah Evans Photography)
The Lawrence-based performer is attracting gigs, recognition and awards for her accomplishments as a musician, multicultural artist, community organizer, research and educator
In March, Lawrence-based Alex Kimball Williams performed to a full house at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Native American Festival. Sitting on the floor, she played synthesizer compositions from her first solo album, “Red & Black,” singing and fusing electronic and rhythmic notes in a pentatonic scale to honor Indigenous themes and traditions.
“I’m Alaskan Native (Aleut tribe), Black, Portuguese, Hungarian, Chinese, (and) something else among others,” Williams says of her heritage. Her family migrated to Lawrence after the Civil War as “Exodusters,” and were, in her words, “the token, exceptional Black people” in town. She said she felt set apart through childhood and credits that with her unflagging drive to right wrongs.
Williams, who describes herself as a “multicultural artist, community organizer, researcher and educator,” is also a pianist, percussionist and drummer. Her songs range from soothing — sometimes listeners practice yoga during them — to forceful and dynamic. One of the most powerful is Billie Holiday’s iconic “Strange Fruit,” which she performed at the Nelson-Atkins.
As she recently told www.kansan.com, “I noticed there wasn’t any Indigenous music . . . I just wanted to fill that void because there’s not a lot of popular Black native musicians. I challenge myself to write songs about really difficult subjects and things that I don’t hear talked about.”
Williams released her first music video this year. The museum audience was given a taste with a short video on her family and cultural influences.
Her museum performance was one in a flurry of recent appearances. Williams was the featured artist for the Heartland Song Network’s Jan. 25 event at the Uptown Lounge. She was at Folk Alliance in February and at the KU Protest Art Workshop at the Spencer Museum of Art on March 6.
She’s also been onstage for Charlotte Street, the Lawrence Songbook Showcase, the Ethnic Enrichment Festival, Free State Festival, Replay Lounge and PH Coffee, and she has graced the cover of I Heart Local Music Magazine. Music maven Mark Manning included her “WHAT” on the “Best Recordings of 2023.”
Williams has garnered wide exposure for “Bad Alaskan,” her Indigenous dance music project, which includes spoken word, poetry, darkpop, trap and meditation (badalaskan.bandcamp.com/music). She performs it at various venues and festivals, private ceremonies, museums, galleries and schools. She’s on the Kansas State Touring Roster, which provides funding for communities interested in contracting her. She’s composed scores for locally produced films and for the Chicago Children’s Theatre.
Williams is deeply involved in community organizing, alongside her creative activities. As cofounder of several social consciousness groups, she has been awarded the MLK Dreamer’s Award, the Community Hero in Best of Lawrence 2021 and the 2023 Juneteenth Community Award. She is a project manager for the National Science Foundation-supported Haskell Foundation and DEI consultant to the Kansas Department of Commerce, businesses, the health department and other organizations.
Williams is featured in the Womxn of Color Mural outside the Lawrence Public Library, chosen for her championing of the untold stories of marginalized communities. She currently is at work on a digital storytelling project, interviewing families traumatized by police brutality and coalescing their experiences into a song and short film.
“I view creativity, the ability to improvise especially, as a social justice skill,” she said. “I think art, especially by artists of color, is the primary vehicle for community growth.” And, with advanced degrees in environmental science, Indigenous studies, neuroscience and political science from KU and Haskell University, she’s well equipped to lead.
The past year has been a gratifying one of awards and accomplishments: Says Williams, “I’ve had the opportunity to perform with world-class musicians and released my first solo album — plus my first music video! I had the privilege of getting a white supremacy culture training session with (famed social justice facilitator) Tema Okun herself (and) an award recognizing my community impacts. Two ordinances in my city . . . This past year put me in multiple situations where I had the chance to speak or enact real community change. But also beyond — into the regional, national and international realms.”
“I know I’m going somewhere and I’m just taking in the journey.”
