On April 10, Boston Latin School welcomed Emmy Award winning alumna Ayo Edebiri (‘13) back to her alma mater alongside Mayor Michelle Wu for a fireside chat in the auditorium.
Arriving around 12:00 P.M., Edebiri first met with members of the BLS Yellow Submarine Improv Troupe, which she was a part of when she was a student, in the Black Box. Included in the meeting were a group of teachers who taught her when she went to the School, such as BLS Arts teachers Mr. Ryan Snyder and Mr. Joseph Gels.
After sharing many hugs and laughs, Edebiri took time to answer questions from the students, and signed a variety of items, including a vinyl from the artist Clairo and a BLS theatre award. Greta Gorman (III), a member of the troupe, comments, “It’s so surreal to see someone who used to be in your position doing all these crazy cool things, and then seeing them with your own eyes.”
Mayor Wu later arrived, joining Edebiri briefly in the Black Box for pictures, before moving to the auditorium stage. There, she interviewed Edebiri, asking her about her experience at BLS and as a Boston Public Schools student. Head of School Jason Gallagher shares, “She was very engaging, very honest. She talked about her experience in a really authentic way.”
The auditorium was packed full; about 900 students were present, as well as many faculty. After Edebiri spoke to the
mayor, students asked questions to Edebiri, many about building a career in the arts. Mayor Wu, in a surprise moment, declared April 10, 2025 “Ayo Edebiri Day” in Boston.
“We are so proud when our Boston kids and BPS [alumni] go on to make a difference in the world,” comments Mayor Wu.
The event was unexpected for most of the BLS students and faculty; Gallagher himself was informed the day before. He met with administrators into the night to discuss logistics of the visit. Gallagher adds, “It was a whirlwind of about three to four hours after [receiving the news] to get it all together; we just had to keep it […] simple.” BLS Director of Operations Ms. Jesse Kwan, Secretary to the Head of School Ms. Patricia Folan and Arts Department Head Ms. Margaret McKenna all contributed to organizing the day, in collaboration with Edebiri and the Mayor’s staff.