Joshua Williams: a crown of challenges

He starts each morning the same way, with open eyes and a quiet “thank you God for another day of your grace and mercy.”

Around 7 or 8, Joshua Williams begins his day.  “I try to start every day with gratitude,” he said.

Then he checks emails to make sure everything is aligned, showers and puts on his most sophisticated outfit. While preparing for his day, he calls his mother and grandmother to check in back home.

“Hearing their voices keeps me grounded,” he said.

This is what sets a positive tone for his busy days.

As a marketing scholar, AmeriCorps employee and royal court king, Joshua has a routine that prepares him for a full schedule of classes, meetings, studying and leadership duties.

His favorite part of the day, though, is simple. “I love getting out into the community and just being a positive light for people,” he said.

Joshua was born and raised in the Florence, S.C. He said the values taught by his parents shaped everything he is.

“They taught me the importance of always putting my best foot forward, serving others and keeping God first,” he said.

Keeping these values at the forefront of his life is what has shaped Joshua into the leader he is today.

Growing up with moments of struggle also left an impact.

“While I am blessed to live comfortably now, earlier in my life I knew what it felt like to have less. That’s why I push so hard — to build a future for myself, but to also educate and empower others,” he said.

In the moment of struggle, just two months before taking office as the 66^th Student Government Association president, Joshua suffered multiple sporadic strokes on the left side of his brain, which left him hospitalized.

“I couldn’t walk. … I couldn’t write. … My left side couldn’t perform basic movement,” he said.

He later underwent a heart procedure while still trying to recover. Some people doubted he could continue leading.

That doubt tested him — but it also fueled him. “I told myself I wouldn’t let this be the end of my story,” he said.

Despite this, through what Joshua calls “God’s grace, resilience, and a remarkable support system,” he regained his strength in weeks.

“I overcame these adversities by grounding myself in faith, leaning on my incredible family and friends, and relying on determination, strength and strategic planning.”

After facing such a life-changing experience, Joshua used the setback as motivation to work even harder.

Returning in office as 2024-25 SGA president, Joshua gave his speech on Matriculation Day, and one of his proudest accomplishments came when he was honored by the South Carolina House of Representatives for his leadership and perseverance.

Now, as Mister Claflin and a respected campus leader, he carries both his victories and his struggles with the same dignity. He hopes others see more than his titles.

“I just want to be remembered as someone who uplifted people,” he said.