Nafessa Williams

Biography

Nafessa Williams is an American actress who grew up in West Philadelphia and started out in local Philadelphia productions, with an early break in a Foreman Mills commercial. She moved to New York, where she studied acting with Susan Batson and Tasha Smith, and in 2010 she landed her first film role, in Streets, opposite Meek Mill. She played Deanna on One Life to Live in 2011 and later guest starred on The Bold and the Beautiful. Her film and television work includes Brotherly Love (2015), the recurring role of Charlotte on Code Black, and Anissa Pierce in Black Lightning, a part she held until the show ended in 2021. In 2022 she appeared as Robyn Crawford in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and in 2024 she took a lead role in the Disney+ and Hulu adaptation of the Rutshire Chronicles.

36years old

Turns 37 on December 4in 52 days

Born December 4, 1989Philadelphia
Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21

Movie Career

Films: 4
Career span: 7 years2015 to 2022

Every film, newest first

2022Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with SomebodyIMDb rating 6.6
2021A Holiday ChanceIMDb rating 6.2
2019Black and BlueIMDb rating 6.4
2015Brotherly LoveIMDb rating 6.5

Genres

Did you know?!

A change of course
Williams was fired from her law firm job in 2008 for calling out to attend an audition, a moment she credits with pushing her to pursue acting full time.
Early training
After being fired from the firm, Williams moved to New York. While living there, she trained with Tasha Smith and studied at the Susan Batson studios.
First role
Williams landed her first film role in 2010 opposite Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill in Streets, with music industry insider Charlie Mack helping her get the part and mentoring her.
Behind the camera
In February 2021, Williams started Y-FEAR, a unisex clothing line whose name stands for "Your Fear and Egos Aren't Real!" Her love of fashion and personal wellness growth led her to create it.