Nafessa Williams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nafessa Williams
Williams in 2018
Born	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	West Chester University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2011–present
Known for	Black Lightning

Nafessa Williams is an American actress. She is well-known for playing Anissa Pierce in The CW's TV show Black Lightning. She also played Robyn Crawford in the 2022 movie Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, which was about the singer Whitney Houston.

Early Life and Education

Nafessa Williams grew up in West Philadelphia. She went to Robert E. Lamberton High School. When she was young, she saw some tough things happening in her neighborhood.

Watching the lawyer character Clair Huxtable on the TV show The Cosby Show inspired her. Nafessa wanted to go to law school to help make things better.

She studied criminal justice at West Chester University. She even worked as an intern in the district attorney's office in Philadelphia.

Later, Nafessa realized she wasn't happy working in law. She started taking acting classes instead. She did some modeling and small TV jobs while still working at a law firm. In 2008, she was let go from her job because she took time off for an audition. Nafessa says this was the best thing that happened to her, as it made her decide to become a full-time actress.

Acting Career

Nafessa Williams started her acting journey in Philadelphia. Her first big break was a commercial for Foreman Mills. After leaving her law job, she moved to New York City. There, she studied acting at Susan Batson studios and trained with Tasha Smith.

In 2010, Nafessa got her first movie role in Streets. She acted alongside Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill. The film was released in 2011.

In March 2011, Nafessa joined the cast of ABC's TV show One Life to Live. She played the character Deanna. She was originally supposed to be in only three episodes, but she ended up signing a four-year contract. However, the show was canceled just a month after she started. Nafessa left the show in July 2011. After the show ended, she moved to Los Angeles to find more acting opportunities.

In March 2012, Nafessa announced she would appear on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. She made her debut on May 8, 2012, appearing in two episodes.

In 2015, Nafessa was in the movie Brotherly Love, which was produced by Queen Latifah. She also had a role in the Lifetime movie Whitney, a film about Whitney Houston. Angela Bassett directed this movie.

In April 2016, Nafessa was cast as Jade in the TV show Twin Peaks. This was a continuation of the popular 1990s ABC drama. Later that year, she played Charlotte in the CBS drama Code Black.

Black Lightning Role

In 2017, Nafessa Williams was cast as Anissa Pierce in the 2018 TV series Black Lightning. This show was created by Mara Brock Akil and Greg Berlanti. Her character, Anissa Pierce, was a groundbreaking superhero. She was part of the first Black superhero family to lead a major television show.

Nafessa told Nylon magazine that she knew her character would inspire many people. She said the show explored real-life issues like violence and social unfairness that happen in many cities. She continued playing this role until the show ended in 2021.

Other Projects

In May and June 2019, Nafessa Williams joined DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee, writer Tom King, and fellow CW actresses Candice Patton and Danielle Panabaker. They visited five U.S. military bases in Kuwait with the United Service Organizations (USO). They met with about 12,000 U.S. military members as part of Batman's 80th anniversary celebration.

In February 2021, Nafessa launched her own clothing brand called Y-FEAR. The name stands for 'Your Fear and Egos Aren't Real!'. She created the brand because she loves fashion and personal growth. The brand sells comfortable and stylish loungewear and athletic clothes.

In 2022, she starred in the movie Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Nafessa played Robyn Crawford, who was a close friend and assistant to Whitney Houston. To prepare for the role, Nafessa read Robyn Crawford's 2019 book, A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston. In the same year, 26 Magazine named Nafessa their Woman of the Year.

In 2024, Nafessa Williams had a main role in the Disney+ and Hulu TV show Rivals. This show was based on a book by Jilly Cooper. She played Cameron Cook, an American TV producer living in England in the 1980s. She acted alongside stars like David Tennant and Aidan Turner. The show was renewed for a second season in December 2024, and Nafessa will return for it.

Personal Life

Nafessa Williams looks up to actresses like Phylicia Rashad, Tichina Arnold, and Tisha Campbell.

She often speaks out about important issues like racism and police unfairness. In July 2020, Nafessa wrote an open letter to Hollywood. She asked the entertainment industry to deal with issues of inequality directly.

She wrote, "We need more Black writers to tell Black stories. We need Black hairstylists who know how to do Black hair properly. And award shows can only be fairly judged if done by a diverse group. We as a people and as a culture are beyond tired of asking to be seen, heard and treated equally. Not just in the entertainment industry, but in all industries. I believe we must continue to have these important conversations and create the necessary changes."

Filmography

Film

Television

Video Games

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Nafessa Williams para niños