This is part one of a four part portrait series showcasing the diverse experiences of Black students on Harvard's campus. These portraits pair the personalities of real Black Harvard students with their success and accomplishments. Black Harvard students are athletes, leaders, artists, and we contain multitudes.
Chidera Ejikeme '23
- Concentration: History of Science
- Campus activities: Black Student Association, Indigo, The Harvard Foundation
- Fun Fact: I refuse to wear sweatpants
- Favorite Class at Harvard: HISTSCI 1445: Medicine and Health in America
- Favorite Place on Campus: My room
Daniela Diaz '23
- Concentration: Economics
- Campus activities: Harvard Dominican Student Association, WHRB Harvard Radio Station, Marketing Associate, Director of Finance - National Dominican Student Conference
- Fun Fact: I founded @blankspacejpg
- Favorite Class at Harvard: First-Year Seminar: Transformations of Marketing
- Favorite Place on Campus: Loomis Michael Observatory
Rebecca Thompson '22
- Concentration: Sociology
- Campus activities: Radcliffe Law, Education, & Justice Initiative; Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship
- Fun Fact: I have 7-8 middle names
- Favorite Class at Harvard: Creative Writing
- Favorite Place on Campus: The Charles River
Wonuola Obasa '23
- Concentration: Environmental Science and Public Policy
- Campus activities: Harvard Redline, Harvard University Clean Energy Group, Institute of Politics, Nigerian Students Association
- Fun Fact: I'm in the top 1% of rain sound listeners on Spotify
- Favorite Class at Harvard: Confronting COVID-19
- Favorite Place on Campus: Divinity School Cafe
Jaeschel Acheampong '24
- Concentration: Biomedical Engineering
- Campus activities: Harvard Black Mens Forum, Varsity Track and Field, Music Production
- Fun Fact: I love making fantastic music that I never release :)
- Favorite Class at Harvard: GENED 1067
- Favorite Place on Campus: The Science and Engineering Building
Ryyan Pritchett '23
- Concentration: Sociology
- Campus activities: President of the Association of Black Harvard Women, Marketing intern
- Fun Fact: I’ve watched all the seasons of Grey’s Anatomy 3 times
- Favorite Class at Harvard: RELIGION 1572: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
- Favorite Place on Campus: The Charles River
Lara Dada '24
- Concentration: Economics
- Campus activities: Content Lab Intern, Harvard Global Research and Consulting
- Fun Fact: I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do
- Favorite Class at Harvard: AFVS 70: The Art of Film
- Favorite Place on Campus: Leverett House Dining Hall
Aaron Shirley '23
- Concentration: History of Science and Sociology
- Campus activities: Varsity Track and Field Captain, Peer Advising Fellow, Room 13 Counselor
- Fun Fact: I broke my back in my junior year of High school
- Favorite Class at Harvard: SOCIOL 1046: Life and Death by Design
- Favorite Place on Campus: The Widener Library Stacks
Gene Nartey '22
- Concentration: Computer Science and an Art, Film, and Visual Studies Secondary
- Campus activities: Omo Naija x Wahala Boys, Cabot Housing Day Team, Black Mens Forum, Black Students Association
- Fun Fact: My name was changed legally when I was in 2nd Grade
- Favorite Class at Harvard: AFVS 157L: Immersive Experience as Art
- Favorite Place on Campus: Carpenter Center
Photography by: Dumebi Adigwe '23 @portyfortyx & @dujufilmco
A photo of the 2026 Summer Recruitment Ambassadors on the Weeks Bridge
Drawing can be a leisure activity or a great way to relax. A sketch book and pen often accompanied me at the park in my free moments.
A photo of the Harvard Art Museums
My Philosophy banner
My Siblings and I When we were Younger
Here I posed with my new team to celebrate our victory in my first game of flag football. I even taught the team how to sign "K" for Kirkland House in ASL
During the Cultural Rhythms, Caitlyn showcased her beautiful Vesido De Flores dress from Mexico and I showcased South Sudanese Lawa. Later only to find out she is in Pforzheimer House, the best house. We become friends ever since. An amazing woman
FUP Silent Disco
First-year students gather to commemorate a successful alumni networking event at the historically exclusive Harvard Club of Boston
Nearly 200 students across 20+ high schools attended Harvard's first High School Ethics Bowl (HCHSEB)
Mollie and Kai during the interview at Currier House!
A sign welcoming new Quincy house residents on Housing Day!
The Barker Center, home to the Harvard College Writing Center
2026 LEAD Board
During my internship at the Harvard Admissions Office, I met great people who continue to be my close friends.
Secquoia and her fiancé after running the Cambridge Half Marathon
Secquoia with her mom and sister at a family weekend event!
Some friends and I took a coach bus from Boston to New York City and visited Times Square as a part of this trip!
My friends from my entryway and I pose for a picture together before we go kayaking!
Philip Brooks House, the locus of public service on campus, located in Harvard Yard.
Every September, the College holds an Extracurricular Fair in Harvard Yard. This is one of the first opportunities for many to learn about GAASA.
Captured around sunset as we hiked the Watchman Trail.
My friends and I celebrating our last first day of classes this semester.
The view from one of the peaks in Mount Mansfield State Forest, Vermont!
A picture of many runners (including the author, Ricky) running during the Cambridge Half Marathon.
Various colorful flower bouquets which were given to first-gen/low-income student on the kick of of FGLI Visibility Week.
A picture of Harvard College students who attended RAZA's first event of the semester in the fall of 2024.
A photo of me with the first two other students who were hired as freshman student workers last fall
One of my favorite photos of TCS. Small Island, Big Family!
View from the hotel in Sidi Bou Said, Tunis
A picture taken of me during Harvard vs. University of New Hampshire.
Samia Afrose with friends at Luxor Cafe
Samia Afrose and Hana Rehman at South Asian Convocation
My Sister and I on NSA's Executive Board in 2023
Hana Rehman at Mock Mehndi
Hana Rehman at Sur Sagar
Harvard College students host Chaand Raat.
A photo of myself looking at the Zanzibari waters
Cheering you on in your scholarship application journey!
Harvard Foundation interns in the spring of 2024, dressed up before the event of Cultural Rhythms.
A group photo on the last day of class!
Grupo Frontera with those who attended RAZA’s Trailblazer Award ceremony
My view from atop a hill near a mining camp.
My bookshelf in my dorm!
Malika Umar and Samia Afrose Celebrating Eid-al-Fitr
Seeing the Lotus Temple in Delhi, India was only one of the many great experiences I've had thanks to Harvard Model Congress
Me with the director of FOP, the wonderful Lesedi Graveline
My mom and I at Junior Parents Weekend
MEDLife volunteers posing for picture with MEDLife Logo
My fellow HFAI coordinators and I at Sufra!
The 2022 summer American Repertory Theater (from left to right): Chinyere Obasi '24, Caron Kim '24, Sophie Kim '24, Diana Chen '25, Sophie Garrigus '25.
My friends and I love attending the socials that are hosted by the affinity groups!
The sunrise on the morning of Housing Day this year.
My First Harvard Yale Game
The Fall 2021 HFAI Student Coordinator Team!
A picture of a white poster with "Adams House is the Best House" written on it.
So grateful to have worked with these amazing student leaders this past year!
My fellow singers and I singing “Lay Me Low,” our closing number, by Addah Z. Potter and arranged by Kevin Siegfried, at Reunion: A Fall Concert.
Here's some friends and I at Acadia National Park over an extended weekend!
Me and a teammate sailing the first double handed sail of the year.
Cherry Blossom outside Lowell
Here's Harpreet and I with our best friends back in high school!
Here is a picture of my family, including my mom, brothers, grandma, uncle and aunt, and cousins.
trips into Boston are worth it!
My blockmates and I at Winthrop House on our Housing Day!
I have very specific playlists for every mood.
Here are some of the books I've been reading for fun lately!
Kuumba had a winter concert last year that focused on the importance of Black Love; this photo, which captures the power of intimacy, was taken during the dance section of the concert.
Here is the full cast (and some of our crew) for the Hyperion Shakespeare Company's production of Macbeth!
Here's a group photo of the Radcliffe Choral Society on the steps of Stella Maris Church in San Juan! We sang here several times, for rehearsals, church services, and our finale concert the night before we flew back to Boston.
Here's the new Sunflower sign we just put up with our students as community service.
Harvard Yard, where many first-year students live.
A Zoom Picture from my FYRE Family!
I found myself this summer sitting at my laptop a lot more than I had originally planned
I make the most of my Zoom-ed reality by taking calls outside!
Here I am teaching a government class from last summer!
During the last days of first-year, I organized an outdoor picnic in Harvard Yard for the Black Class of 2022. There was pizza, music, and an entertaining, but yet chaotic game of musical chairs.
Performing at the Peabody Museum's Day of the Dead celebration and exhibit.
The view of the Charles River from Leveret House, which is right next to Winthrop House!
My Harvard Journal Project notebook, with its (not so successful) attempt to color the Harvard logo on the front.
My friends and I decided to have a group photo session the day before leaving campus!
Me giving out homemade awards to my MFP students!
I took this photo of the Boston skyline while running by the Charles River.
The office threw me a mini goodbye party to thank me for my work during the summer!
Veritaffle
Another spot to rest with great views of New Hampshire!
A view of the city of Boston from Harvard's campus.
Nigerian Students Association Executive Board at our 9th Annual Independence Day Gala