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 best 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

Williams grew up in West Philadelphia. She went to Robert E. Lamberton High School. Later, she studied criminal justice at West Chester University. She even worked as an intern in the District Attorney's Office, helping with serious cases.

Acting Career Highlights

Williams started her acting journey with local jobs in Philadelphia. Her first big chance was a commercial for Foreman Mills. After that, she moved to New York. There, she studied acting at the Susan Batson studios and trained with Tasha Smith.

First Film and TV Roles

In 2010, Williams got her first movie role in Streets. She acted alongside Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill. The film came out in 2011.

In March 2011, Williams joined the cast of ABC's TV show One Life to Live. She played the character Deanna. She was first meant to be in only three episodes. But she ended up signing a four-year contract. However, the show was canceled soon after, and she left in July 2011. After this, she moved to Los Angeles to find more acting chances.

In March 2012, Williams appeared as a guest star on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. She made her first appearance on May 8, 2012.

Notable Roles and Projects

In 2015, Williams was in the movie Brotherly Love. This film was produced by Queen Latifah. The same year, she had a role in the Whitney Houston movie Whitney. This film was made for the Lifetime channel and featured Angela Bassett.

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

Becoming a Superhero

In 2017, Williams got the role of Anissa Pierce in the TV series Black Lightning. This show started in 2018. Her character became the first black lesbian superhero shown on network television. The show also featured the first black superhero family to lead a major TV series.

Williams told Nylon magazine that she knew her character, Anissa, would inspire many. She said it would inspire young black girls and young black girls who are lesbians. She also mentioned that the show explores real-life issues. These include violence and social injustice that happen in many cities. She continued playing this role until the show ended in 2021.

In 2019, Williams joined DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee and other actors. They visited U.S. military bases in Kuwait. This visit was part of Batman's 80th anniversary celebration.

Other Ventures and Recent Work

In February 2021, Williams started her own clothing brand called Y-FEAR. The name stands for 'Your Fear and Egos Aren't Real!'. The brand combines her love for fashion with personal well-being. It focuses on comfortable and stylish loungewear.

In 2022, she starred in the Sony movie Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Williams played Robyn Crawford. Robyn was a close friend and assistant to Whitney Houston. To get ready for the role, Williams read Robyn Crawford's book. In the same year, 26 Magazine named Williams their Woman of the Year.

In 2024, Williams had a main role in the Disney+ and Hulu TV show Rivals. She played Cameron Cook, an American TV producer in 1980s England. She acted alongside David Tennant and Aidan Turner. The show was renewed for a second season in December, and Williams will return.

Personal Life

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

She has spoken out about important issues like fairness and equal treatment. In July 2020, Williams wrote an open letter to Hollywood. She asked them to work on making things more equal. She believes that more Black writers are needed to tell Black stories. She also thinks that awards should be judged by a diverse group of people. She wants to see fairness in all industries, not just entertainment.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Nafessa Williams para niños