Laila Jade Wilson’s voice has always been heard. As one of the most sought-after youth DJs and one of Tallahassee’s youngest entrepreneurs, she’s used her voice to inspire and entertain. She’s used her voice to inform and educate the campus and public as a student journalist at The FAMUAN and a producer at FAMU TV-20. Soon, she will use her voice to advocate for others as she prepares to pursue a career as a criminal defense attorney after graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism this Saturday.
Speaking to and for the people is in her DNA. She is a third-generation FAMUan and the granddaughter of Roosevelt Wilson, a name synonymous with giving voice to the community and future generations.
Roosevelt Wilson, who passed in 2018, taught and mentored student journalists and student-athletes until he retired from Florida A&M University in 2003. He was known for fearlessly speaking out against injustices and teaching his mentees to do the same. He always spoke “against the grain,” which was aptly the name of his column and radio talk show that he hosted for years in the Tallahassee community, while simultaneously serving as the publisher of the Capital Outlook, the region’s only Black-owned newspaper.
The same fire and conviction heard in Roosevelt Wilson’s voice and felt in his words stand strong in Laila Wilson. When she talks about her desire to ensure people, especially men and women of color, are aware of their rights and treated fairly, you hear echoes of her grandfather.
She believes that many of the recent headlines about Black people being wrongfully murdered and convicted are due to systemic obstacles that prevent people from having proper representation, access to resources, and fair treatment. From seventh grade through her college years, it was watching the tragic stories of people like Kalief Browder, George Floyd, and Sonya Massey that awakened her calling to become an attorney.
While she knew she would not be a full-time journalist, her family legacy taught her that journalism and multimedia training were stepping stones to honing the skills necessary to be a relentless advocate in the legal system. Harnessing the power of storytelling is the way she knew to make a difference.
“There are different routes you can take to prepare for law school, and journalism school stood out to me the most,” said Laila, who looks up to her mother, Dr. Thais Wilson, who leveraged her bachelor’s degree in journalism from FAMU to become a successful podcaster, marketing and communications strategist, and business leader. “I was always around the journalism and media community growing up, and that really influenced me. I chose FAMU SJGC because I knew the journalism program would prepare me to be successful in the courtroom.”
Laila’s tenacity is also inspired by her father, Vaughn “DJ Ace” Wilson, an alumnus of the FAMU School of Business and Industry. He owns the community staple Mega Ace Media and is a sports commentator and writer; a former FAMU sports information director and associate director of intercollegiate athletics; and a former director of photography, publication design, and advertising for the Capital Outlook. He introduced Laila to becoming a DJ and to the world of entertainment and media, allowing her to begin owning her own business at the age of 7.
Then there is her aunt, FAMU College of Pharmacy professor Tiffany Wilson Arderly, whose career exemplifies the importance of doing something different to effect change. She made history as the first African American and first woman to earn a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from FAMU.
She also has an uncle, Van, a cousin, Olivia, and many others in her tribe who are members of the Rattler family and have all played roles in uplifting the community with their talents.
“It’s an honor to know that I’m following in the footsteps of the people who paved the way before me. Reflecting on their contributions just lets me know that I am on the right path,” Laila said. “It’s important to me to carry out their legacy.”
Like those who traversed “The Hill” before her, Laila is graduating with honors and demonstrating that you can truly do it all if you are committed to a cause. She recently received multiple recognitions from local government and community leaders for successfully balancing her DJing business with her academic achievements and community contributions.
“DJing taught me to be confident, how to engage socially, and to be a public speaker who claims the space you’re in,” said Laila, noting that learning to entertain and motivate a crowd at a young age also helped give her the courage she needed to succeed in the legal profession. “I learned to command the attention of everybody in the room, and that is a skill that can be applied not only to my career but to every aspect of my life.”
During this academic year, she received an award and three proclamations from the Leon County Office of Economic Vitality, the mayor and city of Tallahassee, Leon County, and Leon County Schools. She was the first-ever recipient of the Minority Enterprise Development Week Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was recently nominated for Student Entrepreneur of the Year at FAMU’s College of Love and Charity Awards.
An active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she is committed to the organization’s call for its members to be at the forefront of social justice and to promote fairness and equity, and is eager to start the next chapter of her journey to becoming an attorney. Having previously interned at Akbar Thomas Law Firm during her high school years, she will now return to the firm as a member of the professional staff, where she will gain hands-on experience and learn the ins and outs of the legal field for a year before entering law school.
“I’ve always believed in the power of doing what is right for people,” Laila said. “Now, the interview, storytelling, and research skills I have gained in J-School have prepared me to present my case and position in a compelling way that will help and empower others.”
