News

(Winter 2022) – “I’ve worked really hard to make sure that mine and other communities are safe and included.”

De’Yani Dillard, SMART Class of 2022, was devoted to ensuring the wellness of her community since she was a young girl. “My heart is always in the community,” she shares. De’Yani is a witty and responsible leader and an activist. She opens her heart and knowledge to support those around her.

De’Yani is currently a high school senior at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA). When she first toured the school, De’Yani immediately fell in love with SOTA’s culture and spirit. With SMART’s guidance, De’Yani put together her art portfolio and was admitted the following year. The transition into high school posed some challenges for her learning. De’Yani had a hard time navigating a new grading system and her anxiety with taking tests. By advocating for herself, she was able to receive the support she needed.

Her childhood passions for art and music became an everyday reality when she joined SOTA’s Technical Theatre department her freshman year. As a scenic designer and stage manager, De’Yani picked up a wide range of skills, from creating props to working behind the scenes for school shows. Over the years, she has loved the fun and team-driven community that sweeps through her department. Her favorite part of her role is tied together on show nights. “Backstage is like a movie,” De’Yani says with joy. It’s the one time where everyone comes together, working diligently for hours on end as the show goes on.

Her parents created the foundation to who she is today. From building with LEGO to assembling puzzles with her father, she has grown to love painting, poetry, and music as forms of expression. Her leadership traces back to a family history of activism. Since she was a child, De’Yani’s mother educated her on social justice and issues that affected her. She always admired her mother’s care and willingness to support underserved communities. “I’ve always wanted to be like that,” she adds.

De’Yani values building a safe space for herself and others both in and out of school. She is the President of the Black Student Union (BSU) at her high school. In celebration of Black History Month this February, De’Yani and her peers facilitated a full-day summit dedicated to student-led workshops centered around Black and African topics, culture, and art. When there was an increase of sexual harassment and abuse occurring on and off campus last fall, De’Yani stood by her friend, as she led a walkout at their school. De’Yani drew from her past experiences with protests to advise her peers. Hundreds of students joined the protest overnight, leading to display of solidarity across San Francisco and Oakland.

Outside of school, De’Yani is also a co-founder and Alumni Mentor for the Radical Monarchs, a social justice group for young girls of color that started in 2014. De’Yani remembers her excitement when she was first introduced to this opportunity. “It’s the best chance I could take,” she reflects. “I can take what I’ve learned from my mom and my family and put it into this organization.” In the summer of 2021, her alumni group held a vigil in honor of the women of color who’ve lost their lives to police brutality. As a way to cope with the increase of police brutality across the country and gun violence in her own neighborhood, De’Yani found herself focusing more on her studies.

She looks forward to her college experience, where she can explore her independence and comfort outside of her hometown. With support from SMART’s College Counselor, De’Yani applied to and received numerous acceptances to universities across the country. “I’ve been writing goals for college since the fourth grade,” De’Yani reflects on her early memories at SMART. In addition to the academic support received over the years, De’Yani will always remember the place where she met her childhood best friends. “I’ll always love SMART for this. They gave me my girls.”

In college, De’Yani plans to study psychology. She aspires to become an occupational or recreational therapist, pursuing a career that would incorporate her interests in art, building trust, and connecting with her community. “I’m doing it for myself, and also for my family.”