“Close the gap on your challenges,” former NASA engineer Dajae Williams advised Upper School (US) students on achieving academic success during a Feb. 10 assembly. “Whatever challenges you are dealing with in life right now, you’ve got to get your reps in.”
The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) hip-hop artist and motivational speaker visited the US as part of the school’s Black History Month (BHM) celebrations. US Black affinity spaces, such as the Black Student Union (BSU), Students Honoring All Differences and Embracing Similarities (SHADES), and Brothers Seeking Academic Excellence (BSAE), also honored BHM during their February meetings.
Ms. Williams’ presentation, “Own Your Journey: Dreaming Big, Breaking Barriers, Staying You,” began with a video of her poem, “code-switching.” During the presentation, Ms. Williams highlighted the oppression she faced during her education and the strong work ethic that allowed her to accomplish her dream of working at NASA.
Growing up in the socioeconomically segregated St. Louis, Missouri, Ms. Williams attended predominantly white schools through a novel “de-seg” program. Although these schools had larger budgets, better curriculums, and provided more opportunities for students, they isolated Ms. Williams and the other Black students, dubbing them the “city kids.”
“They put a lack of expectations on us,” she said.
“The real expectation was that we were not as smart and were class clowns. Students looked at me differently, and I felt that I didn’t really belong there.”
Ms. Williams said she and the other “city kids” faced unique disadvantages.
“Since we were part of the ‘de-seg’ program, we had to wake up at 5a.m. instead of sleeping
in until 7 like the kids who lived nearby,” she said. “I also realized that we didn’t eat breakfast and arrived at school more tired than others.”
Examining the strategies of high-performing classmates was the first step Ms. Williams took to “get to the next level” academically, she said.
“I started studying students, starting with investigating the first hand-raisers to understand how they already knew everything,” she said. “I soon realized that it was not me—it was the system. Kids started the curriculum before me, had parents who were built-in tutors at home, and had a time advantage over me.”
Separating her takeaway into three parts, Ms. Williams encouraged students to take advantage of their resources and use teachers and peers to motivate themselves.
“In school, I surrounded myself with people who had the same goals as me and used a planner since I had less time than my classmates,” she said. “Go to your teachers’ office hours, have classmates to study with, and sacrifice technology to focus on your work. With this strategy, you can accomplish your wildest dreams, just as I did.”
US Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Global Education (DEIG) Practitioner Maria Graciela Alcid was eager to invite Ms. Williams to commemorate BHM because her journey and goals felt applicable to US students, she said.
“I was introduced to Dajae’s poems by a scientist,” Ms. Alcid said. “They shared about Dajae’s incredible STEAM work as a former NASA engineer and hip-hop artist whose work is about student empowerment by helping students find their journey to genius. The first piece I watched was ‘code-switching,’ which was a powerful window into Dajae’s depth and breadth of work and experience.”
After the assembly, BSU Co- Presidents Ekram Shemsu and Avery Hart (both ‘25) hosted a Black affinity space for students who wanted to spend more time with Ms. Williams. Ms. Alcid emphasized the value of supporting affinity spaces where students feel affirmed, engaged, and empowered.
Throughout the Feb. 10 school day, Ms. Williams also visited science classes, ate lunch with students and faculty, and met with a large group during CAB for a STEAM collaboration with Girls Advancing in Stem (GAINS), Engineering Club, and DEIG. It was important that all US students had an opportunity to engage with Ms. Williams, Ms. Alcid said.
BSAE Co-President Jaiden Douglin ’25 said BSAE and all other Black affinity spaces held meetings dedicated to BHM discussions.
“BSAE focused on empowering each other through open conversations, sharing our experiences, and uplifting one another,” Jaiden said. “BSAE’s celebration was less about structured activities and more about creating a space where we could be seen and supported. For me, BHM is a time to honor the resilience, contributions, and culture of Black people while recognizing the ongoing fight for equity.”
SHADES member Princess Adeoye ’27, who also introduced Ms. Williams at the assembly, could relate to Ms. Williams’ experience as a student, she said.
“Not necessarily at the institution of BB&N, but in general, as part of the Black community, it feels like there’s a negative light shined on us and lesser expectations. And whether it was to inspire us or to show that, of course, Black people can be smart and are smart, it was important for Ms. Williams to come.”
Princess felt empowered learning about Ms. Williams’ journey and meeting her in person, she said.
“People like Ms. Williams who seem like they have achieved so much, they are so similar to all of us. It just makes everything feel more real and attainable.”
Fellow BSAE Co-President Lorenzo Blackston ’26 said this year’s celebration of BHM was unique because it sought to inspire Black students through role models like Ms. Williams.
“I think that the focus on both historical and present-day Black innovators makes this year stand out. There’s a clear emphasis on not just looking back but also looking forward.”
The Parents of Black Students (PBS) affinity group also hosted an event on Feb. 13 to celebrate BHM, and over 90 students, faculty, and parents attended. PBS Co-Chair Lauren Holness P ’25 ’27 said the high turnout demonstrated the school’s support for the Black community.
“It is important for our kids to know that they are welcome and celebrated in the space where they spend so much of their time.”
PBS plans to host another dinner later this spring and run a table at the One School, One World event in April, Ms. Holness said. During BHM, Ms. Holness recognized the importance of bringing awareness to the challenges Black people have faced and still are facing today, she said.
“Not enough has been done to highlight what the Black population has gone through and the barriers that they’ve overcome to make such significant strides and huge impacts in society. It’s especially important for me to teach my children where parts of their roots come from.”
