Jolissa L. Williams
- Production Department
- Actress
- Writer
Multi-hyphenated powerhouse, Jolissa Williams, professionally known as Lia, is a Sudanese American fashion model, producer, writer, actress, and businesswoman. As a young girl, Jolissa performed in various singing, dancing, and modeling competitions. She participated in the dance ministry, television ministry, and choir in her local church, Christian House of Prayer in Killeen, TX. She has appeared in several small television and film roles.
Early Life Jolissa Laqualia Williams was born in Chicago, IL (Cook County) to her mother, Samona L. Dantzler, of Sudanese heritage, and her father, Terrence D. Williams, of Angolan heritage. Jolissa spent the early years of her life with her grandparents, living between Italy and Germany, traveling expensively from the age of 6 months old until just before school age. Returning to Chicago after living abroad, Jolissa reunited with her eldest sibling and mother, and the family settled in Killeen, TX, where Jolissa attended several primary and secondary schools.
In high school, Jolissa played Varsity Basketball and participated in Varsity Track & Field for Ellison High School. She quickly made a name for herself in the local and statewide basketball community, gaining recognition for her "backseat role on Ellison Lady Eagles basketball player, where she usually played as a sixth-man; going in early to help pull down rebounds and score on put back opportunities"...averaging a double-double every game in points and rebounds. Jolissa received local, state, and national awards for her athleticism, academic achievements, and philanthropic contributions to the Central Texas community.
By her high school graduation, Jolissa had received multiple basketball scholarships and invitations from Temple College (Ju. Co), UMHB (DIII), Northwestern (DIII), Texas A&M (DI), and Baylor University (DI). She declined the basketball scholarships and focused on her dreams of modeling and acting.
Jolissa graduated from high school as a first-semester college freshman, thanks to her academic achievements in dual enrollment. She went on to Central Texas College for two years before transferring to Clark Atlanta University in 2012. In 2013, Jolissa joined the US Army Reserves, serving as an Enlisted soldier for two short years, before becoming a US Army Reserves Officer in 2015.
Career With no prior connections in the entertainment industry, Jolissa quickly navigated through the doors, landing her first professional gig in 2013 as a production assistant on Sons to the Grave, starring Trevor Jackson. Working on student films and short film projects throughout Atlanta, she developed an expansive resume and a wide network of film and television professionals. Jolissa's determination and resilient work ethic landed her on the production teams of box office blockbusters, Selma and Captain America: Civil War.
Jolissa has worked alongside some of the biggest names in showbiz; entertainment moguls Mona Scott Young, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Ava DuVernay, Steve Harvey, Lenny S, hip hop stars like Common, K-Camp, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, The Dream, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, and Bangladesh, television personality Big Tigger, along with reality TV stars Mimi Faust, Stevie J. Jolissa has also been privileged to take exclusive meetings with Spike Lee, Kenny Leon, Carl Antony Payne of Martin and Floyd Palmer of Tyler Perry's House of Payne,
Business and Ventures. & Endorsements Jolissa has endorsed several companies in her modeling career, primarily as a Brand Ambassador. She partnered with brands such as Classy Ladies Boutique, K-Mart, Finish Line, Walmart, MCA, Publisher's Clearing House, Coffee Beanery, LA Fitness, GNC, Amazon, Shenandoah Growers, Norred & Associates Inc., CEFCO, Bath & Body Works, IHOP, Chick-Fil-A, Bank of America, and ACT.
Business Ventures Jolissa owns a half dozen successful companies in industries ranging from Real Estate to Film Production to Transportation. As a Private Equity Investor, she focuses on investing in companies not publicly traded on a stock exchange, seeking to increase their value over time and ultimately sell them for a profit.
Early Life Jolissa Laqualia Williams was born in Chicago, IL (Cook County) to her mother, Samona L. Dantzler, of Sudanese heritage, and her father, Terrence D. Williams, of Angolan heritage. Jolissa spent the early years of her life with her grandparents, living between Italy and Germany, traveling expensively from the age of 6 months old until just before school age. Returning to Chicago after living abroad, Jolissa reunited with her eldest sibling and mother, and the family settled in Killeen, TX, where Jolissa attended several primary and secondary schools.
In high school, Jolissa played Varsity Basketball and participated in Varsity Track & Field for Ellison High School. She quickly made a name for herself in the local and statewide basketball community, gaining recognition for her "backseat role on Ellison Lady Eagles basketball player, where she usually played as a sixth-man; going in early to help pull down rebounds and score on put back opportunities"...averaging a double-double every game in points and rebounds. Jolissa received local, state, and national awards for her athleticism, academic achievements, and philanthropic contributions to the Central Texas community.
By her high school graduation, Jolissa had received multiple basketball scholarships and invitations from Temple College (Ju. Co), UMHB (DIII), Northwestern (DIII), Texas A&M (DI), and Baylor University (DI). She declined the basketball scholarships and focused on her dreams of modeling and acting.
Jolissa graduated from high school as a first-semester college freshman, thanks to her academic achievements in dual enrollment. She went on to Central Texas College for two years before transferring to Clark Atlanta University in 2012. In 2013, Jolissa joined the US Army Reserves, serving as an Enlisted soldier for two short years, before becoming a US Army Reserves Officer in 2015.
Career With no prior connections in the entertainment industry, Jolissa quickly navigated through the doors, landing her first professional gig in 2013 as a production assistant on Sons to the Grave, starring Trevor Jackson. Working on student films and short film projects throughout Atlanta, she developed an expansive resume and a wide network of film and television professionals. Jolissa's determination and resilient work ethic landed her on the production teams of box office blockbusters, Selma and Captain America: Civil War.
Jolissa has worked alongside some of the biggest names in showbiz; entertainment moguls Mona Scott Young, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Ava DuVernay, Steve Harvey, Lenny S, hip hop stars like Common, K-Camp, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, The Dream, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, and Bangladesh, television personality Big Tigger, along with reality TV stars Mimi Faust, Stevie J. Jolissa has also been privileged to take exclusive meetings with Spike Lee, Kenny Leon, Carl Antony Payne of Martin and Floyd Palmer of Tyler Perry's House of Payne,
Business and Ventures. & Endorsements Jolissa has endorsed several companies in her modeling career, primarily as a Brand Ambassador. She partnered with brands such as Classy Ladies Boutique, K-Mart, Finish Line, Walmart, MCA, Publisher's Clearing House, Coffee Beanery, LA Fitness, GNC, Amazon, Shenandoah Growers, Norred & Associates Inc., CEFCO, Bath & Body Works, IHOP, Chick-Fil-A, Bank of America, and ACT.
Business Ventures Jolissa owns a half dozen successful companies in industries ranging from Real Estate to Film Production to Transportation. As a Private Equity Investor, she focuses on investing in companies not publicly traded on a stock exchange, seeking to increase their value over time and ultimately sell them for a profit.
