Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nigel Walker.
Hi Dr. Walker, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the public housing projects of Alabama. I was one of eight children in a single-parent family. I used writing as an outlet and continued to develop until I published my first book of poetry in 2004. I also had a love for music, which became more fluent in my college years. One of my college friends, David “Swagg R’Celious” has actually become a Grammy-winning producer for H.E.R. It was during our college days that I expanded my poetry and spoken-word into more hip hop recording. My passion to help others also reflected in my desire to be an educator and motivational speaker. I currently work as an assistant principal and was invited to become a member of the Great Black Speakers Bureau a few years prior. My passion, interests, and childhood background have all helped define the platform that I use now to develop relationships with students and build an audience. My latest book, STRIVE for Greatness a comprehensive work combining my life, values, and art all into one.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There are many struggles. My childhood was a struggle just being of a low economic status. Trying to pursue music full time has led to disappointments whenever I had grand visions of being signed. Being an author and speaker as well has taken a lot of resources and the difficulty balancing it with being an educational administrator is very difficult. I struggled with trying to decide if giving up one or more to focus just on one thing would be best. However, when I can utilize them all to motivate students by speaking or performing at a school function, it helps me to continue to work on all aspects of my interests.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I created WILL Educational Services, LLC in order to organize my interests and passions but serve a greater good. I specialize in school consultation, teacher training and mentoring, student mentoring, family advocacy, motivational speaking and performing. I follow the philosophy of knowledge is power, so I work at training teachers how to share their passion as an educator, students how to find their passion, and encourage others by sharing my passion. What sets me apart is my ability to unite the vision of diverse backgrounds utilizing my personal and professional background and enhance the experience with motivation and creative performances.
I am also a member of an alternative hip hop group called Hypoetically Speaking, with another educator, Nick Griffin. Together we work to build within the education system and stand as a model to be motivated in your own image and have courage to be yourself and share your passion with others. We also work to express the importance of education. What I want people to know about my services is that you receive a realistic experience, whether it’s a teacher looking for professional development, a student looking of encouragement to be successful, or a family looking for assistance in making the system work for them. You will also get a some creative entertainment with southern hospitality.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice for finding a mentor is seeking those with a passion. They are everywhere, and their success and attitude will steer you to the right people. What has worked for me has been the courage to meet people like me and different from me and take the time to get an in-depth understanding of others. That process connects you from finding a mentor to advise you towards your goals to also learning how to pay it forward and becoming the mentor.
Contact Info:
- Email: willedservices@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/willedservices
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/willedservices
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WILLservices
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jbatiste3d
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/hypoetically-speaking/1481921892
Image Credits
Nawab Rafiq – book design Anwar Thomas – photos
