Jordan Williams

I am Jordan Williams, an African American of Afro Cuban descent descended from those illegally smuggled into the Gulf by way of the Galveston Island of Texas from Cuba in the 1800s. I have a passion for languages and a deep connection to cultural heritage. My linguistic journey spans Igbo, Spanish, French, Kouri-Vini, Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, and Nsibidi—an ancient West African ideographic system. This diverse linguistic palette reflects not just my heritage but the intricate tapestry of my identity. I am particularly excited to learn Efik and Ibibio for my upcoming trip to Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.

I have an alias known as Eze Ojukwu, I embrace my African roots, striving to bridge connections between my Southern Texas/Louisiana Creole culture and the global Nigerian, Cuban and Haitian communities. The name Eze Ojukwu was bestowed upon me during my immersion in Houston's Nigerian diaspora, signifying my commitment to community and cultural bonds although majority of my ancestry is actually from the Calabar and Cross River States of Nigeria with some Abia admixture. 

I really like the Efik name my friend Affiong chose for me:

                         "Akpan Ekpenyong Abasiodiong"

At the heart of my endeavors is Nkowa Okwu, an initiative dedicated to creating an online learning platform for the Igbo language community. Serving as Chief Lexicographer, I work passionately to restore Igbo words into Nsibidi script, fostering education across the diaspora and related writing systems. My involvement extends to the groundbreaking Igbo API project, funded by the Lacuna Fund, which supports language preservation and community-driven initiatives in Nigeria and the UK.

Simultaneously, I navigate the world of academia, pursuing a degree in Mass Communication with minors in Chinese and Japanese. Beyond my formal studies, I invest time in learning Python and Natural Language Processing, using my skills to develop tools for language learning and the revitalization of the Nsibidi script.