Biography
Early Life
Angel Kyodo Williams was born in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up with her dad and stepmom in Queens, then with her mom in Manhattan. From when she was young, Angel went through tough times, facing abuse from her babysitter and the building’s door attendant. She was also bullied at school. Angel found a safe place in the world of comic books, especially loving the X-Men. She felt a special connection to Wolverine because of his questioning nature and his interest in Eastern philosophy. When she was sixteen, Angel moved in with her grandmother to get away from her hard home life. Despite these challenges, growing up in Queens made Angel stronger. She learned a lot about people and their struggles, especially after facing her abusive babysitter as an adult. These tough experiences helped her develop a deep sense of empathy and a unique way of looking at the world.
Williams decided to practice Zen Buddhism. Before she became a famous Buddhist teacher, Williams worked as a bookkeeper and owned a cybercafe, where she supported up-and-coming hip hop artists. In October 2023, Angel Kyodo Williams became the second Black woman in the world to be a Zen teacher. She uses Buddhist teachings to help make social changes and promote peace. She often speaks and teaches about creating social change, making peace, fighting for justice, healing from within, and more. Besides speaking, Williams shares Buddhist ideas through her books on Zen Buddhism and social justice. These books include Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living with Fearlessness and Grace and Radical Dharma: Talking, Race, Love, and Liberation. Her work appeared in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Williams’s activism is rooted in her belief that Buddhism is a path to liberation for all people. She asserts this as a conviction: “I just want it [Buddhism] to work. I want people to be liberated.”
Religious Activism
In 2000, Williams started Transformative Change to support her social justice efforts. This project creates a safe place for promoting peace. With Transformative Change, she has made a secure environment where Black women can connect spirituality and activism in the Buddhist community. Along with providing this safe space, Williams’ work serves as an inspiration and strong example for women leaders.
Williams does more than just her work with Transformative Change. She travels the world giving talks, teaching meditation and yoga, and sharing her own experiences. She talks about understanding oneself and working together in communities to support local leaders and encourage social change. Her efforts to fight for justice and healing go beyond just the Buddhist community. For example, in 2019, she was arrested in Washington along with three other spiritual leaders for protesting the attempt to get rid of Obamacare in Congress. Williams strongly supports LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, emphasizing that love and justice are connected.
In her interviews, Williams talks about how important it is to acknowledge and deal with racial issues within the Buddhist community. Even though Buddhism teaches people to go beyond judging others, Williams points out that there are still hidden biases affecting Buddhism in America.
Angel Kyodo Williams’ work as a Buddhist activist helps people understand the diverse religious scene in America. Her efforts and writing show how Black Buddhists and Buddhists of color add to America’s spiritual life. She fights against the idea that Buddhism does not connect to politics or social justice. Her books encourage conversations and teamwork between different faiths. Williams keeps making a difference in promoting self-understanding and peace around the world.
