My Story

 

Autumn Rose Miskweminanocauq (Raspberry Star Woman) Williams is a Motivational Speaker and Educator with Keppler Speakers. Williams was born and raised on the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton, New York. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and a Minor in Business. Being immersed in her culture from birth has given her pride in her Black and Indigenous heritage that is the foundation for the work she does today.

 

When Williams was crowned Miss Teen Shinnecock at the age of 16, it allowed her the opportunity to travel across the United States and learn about the indigenous experience outside of her Shinnecock community. Following college, she was crowned Miss Native American USA 2017/2018 and began yet another journey to learn more about her people. Being Miss Teen Shinnecock, attending college, and being Miss Native American USA were important growing periods of her life that allowed her to learn about the world and people around her as well as look within. After completing her reign as Miss Native American USA, Williams was signed to STATE Management as a plus size model.  Plus size modeling was a way Autumn Rose helped to face her body image issues head-on and continue her message of self-love and empowerment!

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Williams utilized her skillset in her communications career to advocate for accurate representation and inclusivity of Indigenous communities. Williams worked for her tribe, the Shinnecock Nation, as a Communications Manager, she has worked with ICF Next as a Multicultural Communications Specialist. She also worked with the Administration for Native Americans to support Indigenous language preservation and revitalization within the lower 48, Alaska, and across the Pacific Region, including Hawai‘i, American Sāmoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Currently, Ms. Williams is the PR and Media Coordinator for Indigenous Peoples Day Phoenix and is a cohort in Arizona State University’s Indigenous Leadership Program. 

 

With 15 years experience in public speaking, and 7 years of Public Relations Williams continues to educate and bring awareness to the topics that are dear to her, such as Afro-Indigenous culture, social justice awareness, body positivity and mental health. Visit her service page to see her most recent speaking events and book Autumn Rose for a collaboration!

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“The empowerment of oneself leads to the empowerment of a nation!”

- Autumn Rose

Advocacy

(speaking events, social justice, and leadership roles)

 

• National Museum of the American Indian | Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Black-Indigenous Youth Advancing Social Justice | Youth in Action

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• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Native Connections Supporting the Growth of Youth Leaders

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• Celebrating Black & Indigenous Excellence - Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) 

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• The Equitable Dream - National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

• Miss Native American USA  2017-2018 

• Women's March in D.C in 2017 &
  Women's March in NYC in 2018 

• Stands with Standing Rock