Karyna Luna
Crimson Chronicle Reporter
This Black History Month, we celebrate BSAP Community Representative, Angela Williams-Ashely.
When Angela Williams-Ashley began volunteering at her daughter’s high school, she never could have imagined that she would one day become such an important fixture of the school’s administrative team.
Williams-Ashley is the school’s BSAP Community Representative, a role she has held since 2022.
BSAP, which stands for Black Student Achievement Plan, is an initiative launched by LAUSD back in February 2021. The program aims to bolster the success of Black students, mending long-standing gaps in resources. It does so through community building with families and outside organization, creation of culturally responsive curriculum, and individualized student support.
“I am in partnership with the parents and the students and I help them ease through high school,” said Williams-Ashley, “I also do outreach, connecting with people that do not go to school here or work here to help them out in the community.”
Through her work in helping students excel in their high school journeys, Williams-Ashley has witnessed firsthand the sheer impact BSAP has made on the school community.
“We have a culture here that needs to be encouraged, enriched, and that’s what gives the opportunity for the students to achieve that,” she said.
Angela Williams-Ashley’s path to Hollywood was an unconventional route. After graduating with a degree in music technology from Nashville State College, she moved to Los Angeles to broaden her horizons. Williams-Ashley’s first became involved in the school community as when her daughter was attending the school, she volunteered on campus. After volunteering for three years, her daughter graduated from the school in 2022, which seemingly signaled the end of her involvement in the school community. However, an offer from Principal Dovlatian later proved that to be wrong.
“The principal offered me a job, and I said, ‘Well, what do you have for me?’” Williams-Ashley recalls, “They carved out a job just for me, which worked out great.”
When the job was offered to Williams-Ashley, BSAP was in its initial stages at school, thus she led the charge solo. Now, two years later, the project has expanded greatly, making tangible and positive impacts, in part due to her efforts.
“Back then, it was a one person team. I was by myself doing everything,” she recalled. “Now, I have a full team and definitely see the impact here around school.”
William’s-Ashley brings an array of worldly knowledge to the school community, which stems from her upbringing. Born in southern Florida, her childhood was painted by frequent moves to various locations across the country due to her father’s military service. As a teenager, she settled in northern Chicago, where she attended high school. She was actively involved in her school community, participating in JROTC, musical theater, marching band, flag corps, the pom pom drill team and track and field. In her role as community representative, she encourages students to also be an active member of their school community as well, despite any roadblocks.
“Never have someone tell you you can’t do it. Just stay on target. Follow your dreams,” she said.
She has high hopes for what she wishes to further achieve in her role as community representative. One particular goal she has is to encourage students to travel abroad, a goal that lies particularly close to her heart due to her own penchant for traveling.
“I would definitely love to see more of the students travel and hopefully travel out of the United States of America,” she said, “I would love to be that guide for them.”
Angela Williams-Ashley has definitely made her mark on the school community, with her vibrant and cheerful personality managing to be a positive influence for all students.
