Williams Academy of Excellence, LLC

01/01/2023

Day 7!

12/31/2022

HABARI GANI? KUUMBA!
Today, on this 6th day of Kwanzaa, we celebrate our Creativity.

Creativity shows up within each of us in unique ways. For one person, it might be dancing. For another, it might be rapping. For another, it might be music production. For another, it might be the gift of gab or writing poetry. The key to kuumba is to utilize whatever talents you have been blessed with, however they show up in your life, to make this world a better place than it was when you inherited it. Can you make others feel good? Can you make people laugh? Can you build things? Can you organize? Exercising and demonstrating kuumba requires patience, persistence, and critical thinking skills because we should be constantly thinking, "How can I make this world better?" And the answer is not always plain and simple; sometimes, you have to dig deep and ponder the answer.

Creativity is something that has ensured the perpetuity of African Americans. It is Creativity that inspired us to turn the scraps thrown to us in slave fields into delicacies (chitterlings). It was Creativity that compelled us to compose songs to signal others about the paths to "freedom" (Negro Spirituals). It is Creativity that motivates us to find new, innovative ways to fight back when another one of our babies is senselessly murdered (protests, marches, die-ins).

You see, Kuumba keeps our hearts beating. Kuumba gives us the space to breath and love and BE, at times, unknowing of how and when you may change someone's life for the better and give this world exactly what it needs to keep spinning! Through Kuumba, we can be our truest, fullest, most beautiful selves - unapologetically- and use all of that to cultivate an amazing community of amazing humans.

Kuumba is life!

HARAMBEE!!!!!!!
kwanzaa2022

12/30/2022

Habari Gani? Nia!

HABARI GANI? NIA!
Today is the 5th day of Kwanzaa: a day set aside for us to pause, reflect on, contemplate, and celebrate our Purpose: "why am I here?" "what am I here to do?" "who am I here to serve?" "Why?" and "How?"

We each have a divine purpose; our Nia is part of what makes us so beautifully unique. Thus, it is our task, as melenated peoples, to identify and define our specific purpose (remember kujichagulia?) so that we can work with our bredren (remember Ujima?) daily to rebuild a strong African nation that is healthy, fruitful, and glorious.

Nia is about goal-setting. Nia is about being intentional in taking the steps necessary to achieve your goals. Nia reminds us that all that we do impacts others; therefore, we must move through this world intentionally and compassionately. Nia is about understanding and honoring your purpose as part of your generational and cultural group because when and where you entered this realm matters. You can only authentically serve from your own perspective, so do not try to be anyone other than yourself - just do the introspection and self-work necessary so that YOU know who and how you are as you move within different spaces. This will help you grow in your purpose. It is Nia that inspires and compels us to accomplish our goals - big and small, so set realistic goals for yourself and then be honest in your work towards achieving them.

Nia is persistence.

HARAMBEE!!!!!!!

12/28/2022

Day 3!

12/27/2022

HABARI GANI?! KUJICHAGULIA!!!!!!
Today is the second day of Kwanzaa - the day set aside to reflect on our self-determination. Who am I? Am I who I say I am? Am I all that I can be?

Kujichagulia is acknowledgement of my cultural roots and my ancestral lineage. But beyond meer "acknowledgement", kujichagulia is my DEMONSTRATION of my love and respect for my culture and ancestors in my daily walk - how I dress, how I wear my hair, how I speak, how I eat, how I call myself (my name), how I allow others to call me, how I love, how I treat my body, how I treat other living beings, how I treat my ancestors and the spiritual beings who make my living possible. Kujichagulia is doing better once I know better.

Kujichagulia is also caring for yourself so that you can care for others. On a plane, you are instructed to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others. THAT is Kujichagulia. How can I help others if I cannot breathe?

Kujichagulia is self-love.



(Art courtesy of )

12/26/2022

Habari Gani? Umoja!
Heri Za Kwanzaa!!

12/22/2022

We LOVE this!

12/07/2022

Kwanzaa begins in December, so we began our December with learning all about Kwanzaa.

Mzee Kalfani Nubian Malik did a presentation on the Principles of Kwanzaa.

In art, the students made their own Kikombe cha umoja (unity cup).

10/24/2022

First field trip of the year. Science 1 students spent the last 6 weeks learning about Dinosaurs and Fossils. We went to Phillips Park to check out some Mastadon Fossils that were found locally. We also walked around their zoo.

09/12/2022

08/29/2022

1st day of school shenanigans 🤪.

Back story: My student is in high school and LOVES animals. At the beginning of the summer session we discussed her taking ownership of her high school studies.

The first thing she did was order duck eggs and I built the curriculum around it, including a research paper and art project.

Now she has 6 ducks! New curriculum loading...

Meet Lucky and Pearl, they are soooo cute!