Actress Ayo Edebiri returned home to Boston on Thursday, visiting her high school for the first time since graduating in 2013. Edebiri, who grew up in Savin Hill, attended Boston Latin School and was a part of the school’s band, improv club, and acapella group, even singing the national anthem at Fenway Park in 2012. After graduating from Boston Latin, Edebiri attended NYU, graduating with a bachelor’s in fine arts, before landing a role on the television show “The Bear,” garnering her a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe award.”I am proud to be a product of public schools and services that work,” Edebiri said.Participating in a fireside chat with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Edebiri confessed that she was shy in school and recalled a public speaking assignment with a teacher who helped change her. “I was so nervous, I was shaking. I remember I just had to look into Mrs. McDonald’s eyes because I was like, if I don’t, I might pass out. But I made it to the end,” Edebiri said. “And then she was like, ‘That was really good.’ I was like, maybe something is here. This school taught me to face challenges.”Edebiri’s return to Boston Latin triggered memories of school days and how the dreams she sought to accomplish seemed difficult.”I vividly remember sitting in these seats, and you see names and pictures of beautiful, dead white people, and it felt so far away. It felt kind of impossible,” Edebiri said. Her words and accomplishments stuck with the middle and high schoolers at Boston Latin. “It’s crazy to see people who came from where we are today achieving these things. It makes me have hope for our generation,” senior Laney Maddox said. “It’s such an inspiration, especially as Black people as a smaller community in this school it’s very heart-warming, and we’re all so excited,” senior Abe Coumbassa said. Edebiri shared with the students an uplifting take on the old look to your left and look to your right talk.”Look to the left, right, behind and in front of you. Make sure in your circle you have people’s back and care about who’s around you,” Edebiri said. “That’s all that matters.” In a wrap-up to her return home, Wu proclaimed April 10 “Ayo Edebiri Day” in recognition of not just her achievements in the arts but also her commitment to influencing Boston youth.“It was a true delight to speak with award-winning actor, comedian, writer, producer, and Dorchester girl Ayo Edebiri about how Boston Public Schools and our city helped shape her path,” Wu said. “We’re so proud of our BPS alums making a difference in the world, and it was an honor to welcome Ayo back home to Boston to inspire the next generation.”
Edebiri, who grew up in Savin Hill, attended Boston Latin School and was a part of the school’s band, improv club, and acapella group, even singing the national anthem at Fenway Park in 2012.
After graduating from Boston Latin, Edebiri attended NYU, graduating with a bachelor’s in fine arts, before landing a role on the television show “The Bear,” garnering her a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe award.
“I am proud to be a product of public schools and services that work,” Edebiri said.
Participating in a fireside chat with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Edebiri confessed that she was shy in school and recalled a public speaking assignment with a teacher who helped change her.
“I was so nervous, I was shaking. I remember I just had to look into Mrs. McDonald’s eyes because I was like, if I don’t, I might pass out. But I made it to the end,” Edebiri said. “And then she was like, ‘That was really good.’ I was like, maybe something is here. This school taught me to face challenges.”
Edebiri’s return to Boston Latin triggered memories of school days and how the dreams she sought to accomplish seemed difficult.
“I vividly remember sitting in these seats, and you see names and pictures of beautiful, dead white people, and it felt so far away. It felt kind of impossible,” Edebiri said.
Her words and accomplishments stuck with the middle and high schoolers at Boston Latin.
“It’s crazy to see people who came from where we are today achieving these things. It makes me have hope for our generation,” senior Laney Maddox said.
“It’s such an inspiration, especially as Black people as a smaller community in this school it’s very heart-warming, and we’re all so excited,” senior Abe Coumbassa said.
Edebiri shared with the students an uplifting take on the old look to your left and look to your right talk.
“Look to the left, right, behind and in front of you. Make sure in your circle you have people’s back and care about who’s around you,” Edebiri said. “That’s all that matters.”
In a wrap-up to her return home, Wu proclaimed April 10 “Ayo Edebiri Day” in recognition of not just her achievements in the arts but also her commitment to influencing Boston youth.
“It was a true delight to speak with award-winning actor, comedian, writer, producer, and Dorchester girl Ayo Edebiri about how Boston Public Schools and our city helped shape her path,” Wu said. “We’re so proud of our BPS alums making a difference in the world, and it was an honor to welcome Ayo back home to Boston to inspire the next generation.”
