Shaping the Future of SLPAs with Alice L. Williams

As a dedicated speech-language pathology assistant, entrepreneur, and advocate for allied health professionals, Alice L. Williams, B.A., SLPA is on a mission to make a lasting impact.

This Women’s History Month, we’re honoring the powerhouse Alice is and the legacy she’s creating in the world of speech-language pathology.

The SLPA Network and Speech with Ms. Alice founder elevates SLPAs through education, mentorship, and career development initiatives. She took a moment to share her inspiring journey and insights with us.

Tell us about a defining moment in your career that reaffirmed your passion for this work.

A defining moment in my career was launching The SLPA Network and seeing the immediate impact it had on speech-language pathology assistants (SLPA) seeking guidance, community, and career growth. Witnessing SLPAs gain confidence, advocate for themselves, and expand their opportunities reaffirmed my passion for empowering allied health professionals.

Speech-language pathology is a woman-dominated field, with Black clinicians accounting for less than 4% of the field. How do you think your presence as a SLPA has made an impact in the field and in your community?

As a Black SLPA and entrepreneur, my presence in the field challenges the status quo and creates space for more diverse voices in speech-language pathology.

Through The SLPA Network and Speech with Ms. Alice, I provide mentorship, education, and career resources that uplift Black and underrepresented allied health support professionals, ensuring they feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive in this profession. By fostering community and leadership opportunities, I’m helping to bridge the gap and inspire the next generation of Black clinicians.

Women’s History Month is about celebrating impact and progress. How do you hope your work contributes to the field of speech, language, and hearing sciences?

I hope my work creates lasting change by elevating the role of SLPAs and allied health support professionals in speech, language, and hearing sciences. Through education, mentorship, and advocacy, I aim to foster equity, leadership, and career growth for underrepresented professionals.

By bridging gaps in supervision, promoting professional development, and amplifying diverse voices, I strive to build a more inclusive, empowered, and collaborative field where all clinicians—especially Black women and other marginalized groups—can thrive and lead.

Learn more about Alice's work at speechwithmsalice.com and connect with her on Instagram @speechwith_msalice.

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