Emmy-winning actor Ayo Edebiri made a special return to her alma mater, Boston Latin School (BLS), on Thursday, April 10, marking her first visit since graduating in 2013. Edebiri took the stage alongside Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to share her experiences and advice with current students, emphasizing the importance of well-funded public services.
“I’m from a system that was well-funded, that works,” Edebiri said, addressing the audience in the packed auditorium filled with students from sixth to twelfth grade. “Public services work when you put into them, you get good output. And I think I have accolades and this and that and the other, but also it’s like I have friends who are our teachers who give back, there are classmates who give back to this school, because it made us who we are. And I try to, I don’t know, shout that as much as possible.”
The event featured a “fireside chat” format, where Edebiri and Wu engaged with the students and answered questions from a select group of four. Wu spoke passionately about the significance of public education, especially at a time when funding for it is being debated at the federal level.
“It’s important to stand up for the oldest school district in the country that has been educating and investing in our young people for centuries at this point,” Wu stated. “What remarkable talent we’re able to benefit from that comes through these doors and goes out and shapes the world.”
Edebiri reflected on her own time at BLS, sharing memories and combatting nerves she faced as a student. With a light-hearted moment, she joked about having a rolling backpack in her sixth year, which drew laughter from the audience. “So, right. OK, so that’s — a lot’s changed. It gets better. This is very, very surreal. I sort of envy you guys getting out of class,” she remarked.
Her nostalgia was evident as she pointed out her former teachers still active at the school, recounting her involvement in various clubs and activities that shaped her confidence and resilience. “It’s such a specific experience going to this school — the seniors are sort of nodding their heads,” Edebiri noted, connecting with the audience on shared experiences. “And I feel like there’s a rigor that I have, and a level of care that I have, that would not be possible without having gone to this school.”
The event culminated in a proclamation from Mayor Wu declaring April 10 as “Ayo Edebiri Day” in recognition of her achievements and contributions. The atmosphere was vibrant, with students feeling inspired by Edebiri’s journey from their own school halls to becoming a successful actor and comedian known for her roles in popular shows like “The Bear” and “Big Mouth.”
Senior BLS student Parker-Vincent Alva expressed the impact of Edebiri’s visit, stating, “It’s just all very inspirational, just to see someone who was right where you were do something that you can — right now, I can only imagine myself being in one of those improv troupes.” Through her visit, Edebiri not only celebrated her past but also aimed to motivate the next generation of BLS students towards pursuing their dreams.
image source from：https://www.lowellsun.com/2025/04/13/actor-ayo-edebiri-returns-to-alma-mater-boston-latin-school-proud-to-be-a-product-of-public-schools/
