Alumni Spotlight: Akira Tieanna Williams

Akira Tienna Williams, Eagle Alum

Akira Tieanna Williams was born May 22, 2004 to Summer Williams and Tamarki Oates. She was always different in a sweet kind of way. Akira lost her father to the gun violence of Washington, DC at the age of two. Her brother was only a few months old. The untimely death of her father caused severe emotional trauma to this young family so Akira started school her early learning year as a Special Needs student. Even during these years it was evident that Akira was a survivor with a quiet determination. With strong family, church, and Eagle Academy love and support, Akira began to excel emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Eagle Academy knows that statistics show that children who experience trauma in early childhood are more prone to high-risk behavior and chronic health issues but children who have more options have far better outcomes and well-being. As a result, Akira would leave Eagle Academy successfully testing out of Special Education, no longer needing an IEP, and soaring socially and academically. She was on her way. 

Akira entered middle school with a determination to do well and she did. She maintained a 3.8-4.0 grade point average throughout middle school. Akira graduated from Achievement Preparatory PCS as Salutatorian of her 8th grade class. She will be attending McKinley Technical Senior High School in September 2018 with aspirations of becoming an Architect. Her favorite hobby is dance of all kinds, including modern and liturgical dance.

Akira is a member of the liturgical dance team at The New Samaritan Baptist Church in Washington, DC. In the summer of 2016, Akira received a scholarship from the Dance Institute of Washington for an intensive six weeks dance program where she studied several styles of dance from ballet to modern and more. During the summer of 2018, Akira attended the Full Gospel Conference in Ohio where she participated in a national dance presentation with other children from all over the United States.

Akira was one of ten students chosen, at Achievement Prep, to be painted on her middle school’s mural in the cafeteria where her image will be forever observed standing on the shoulders of African American Astronaut, Mae Jemison. The mural also features such American greats as Chuck Brown, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Mayor Marion Barry and several other notables. Akira was featured in this mural because the administrative staff at Achievement Preparatory PCS believes that she exemplifies the qualities of what it takes to be great and to make a difference in the world.  

Akira’s social and academic training began at the day care center of her home church, now Second New St. Paul Baptist Church Child Development Center. Afterwards Akira attended Eagle Academy Public Charter School, William E. Doar Public Charter School, and Achievement Preparatory Public Charter Schools. She is undecided about which college she would like to attend but would like to attend college in the New York area. 

Akira is the oldest of six children. She has four brothers and one sister. Her mother is amazed at Akira’s resilience, strength, kindness and determination. She has been the example-setter for her younger siblings.

“Showing them how you can make it through trauma.....test out of an IEP and reach to the top.....and make it....just by her doing her thing she lifts them up with her. That's an amazing kid.”  - Summer A. L. Williams, Akira's Mother.