Williams was born and raised in suburban Pittsburgh and Detroit and currently resides in suburban Pittsburgh. She holds her high school records for the 100, 200m, long jump and 4x100 meters relay. She ran for The Wings of Moon Track Club founded by Coach Rubin Carter based in Moon Township, PA, a suburb near Pittsburgh. She was a star with the new club and qualified for the National Junior Olympics. She attended the University of Miami, where she competed on the track team and graduated in 2004. She was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the university's highest honor.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Williams ran the third leg for the women’s 4x100 relay team in the final. Marion Jones, who ran the second leg, and Williams failed to complete the baton exchange within the 20-meter passing zone, resulting in disqualification of the U.S. team.