Learn more about the heart and vision behind J Smiles Empowerment as Founder & CEO Dr. J shares her perspective on identity, leadership, and purpose-driven development.
Interview:
Dr. Jami Williams
Dr. Jami Williams, known as “Dr. J,” is the Founder and CEO of J Smiles Empowerment®, where she advances identity-centered, whole-person leadership development for girls and young women. Grounded in the belief that leadership begins with identity, her work helps young women strengthen their sense of self, emotional intelligence, decision-making, self-leadership, and college, career, and life readiness. Informed by scholarship as well as professional and lived experiences, Dr. J created J Smiles to help young women move from self-doubt and imitation toward confidence, purpose, and values-based leadership.
Program Highlight
SHE Leaders® Institute — 10-Week Leadership Development Program
The SHE Leaders® Institute is our signature 10-week program and the most comprehensive implementation of the SHE Leaders® Identity-Centered Leadership Framework™. Through engaging, experiential sessions, participants strengthen identity, emotional intelligence, decision-making, self-leadership, and college, career, and life readiness while developing the capacity to lead with integrity, purpose, and positive influence.
Our Framework
J Smiles Empowerment® programs are grounded in the SHE Leaders® Identity-Centered Leadership Framework™, a whole-person development approach built on the belief that leadership begins with identity. Through the framework, girls and young women strengthen the internal and relational capacities needed to know who they are, make values-aligned decisions, lead themselves and others, and contribute meaningfully in school, work, community, and life.
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J Smiles Empowerment® provides identity-centered, whole-person leadership development that strengthens the internal and relational capacities girls and young women need to lead themselves, navigate relationships, make values-aligned decisions, and contribute meaningfully in school, work, community, and life.
Our Mission
J Smiles Empowerment® supports girls and young women in developing a secure identity, emotional intelligence, a growth-oriented mindset, and values-based leadership so they can lead themselves and others with integrity and purpose, contributing to stronger schools and communities.
Our Vision
A world where SHE Leaders® navigate life grounded in identity and emotional intelligence; trust their voice; make decisions aligned with their values; and lead with integrity and purpose in school, the workplace, their communities, and beyond.
“Leadership doesn’t start with skills. Leadership starts with identity.”
– Dr. Jami L. Williams, Founder & CEO
Our Work in Student Leadership & Success
• Identity-Centered Leadership Development
• Whole-Person Development & Well-Being
• School & Community-Based Partnerships
• College, Career & Life Readiness