Adia Wilson (she/her) is trailblazing a path of inspiration and leadership. Raised in Harlem, New York City, she attended the nation's largest public school system and trained as a dancer for over 15 years. Being born into a family that values education and excellence, her long-time compassion for youth led her to a career as an educator and administrator. 

As a recent 21-year-old college graduate, Adia began tutoring part-time at the Harlem Children’s Zone- a vanguard education organization. By age 22, she had been promoted as Assistant Education Coordinator at her site. Learning to write and facilitate engaging arts and academic curricula for a diverse student body honed her invaluable instructional and managerial skills.

For over 14 years, Adia has contributed to the growth and success of several non-profit, arts, and educational organizations, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the Caribbean Culture Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), Young Audiences New York, and Catapult Learning. Engaging a wide variety of institutions and staff, she has successfully collaborated with dozens of school principals and classroom teachers to launch and oversee various programs, contracts, and budgets within the NYC Department of Education and other organizations. Additionally, Adia has led numerous trainings and professional development for instructors, modeling the exemplary instruction that underserved kids need and deserve.

In addressing students’ personal, academic, and social needs, Adia discovered the multifaceted issues that plague urban education and marginalized communities. The desire to find answers and make a difference motivated her to study the causes of these deep-rooted issues. Now equipped with the knowledge to match her experience and passion, Adia is committed to developing the next generation of leaders. For this reason, POISE Academy was created to prepare young ladies and their families in the most underrepresented communities across the nation to compete and excel in the 21st century. POISE Academy operates from the educational philosophy that with information and determination, people can develop the tools needed to create drastic change in their lives. Furthermore, a positive learning environment, high expectations, and nurturing a growth mentality are key to fairly and properly educating our young.

Adia graduated Cum Laude from Howard University, where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing. She earned a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Urban Education from The Graduate Center, City University of New York.

Adia is the author of 5 Things Schools Don’t Teach: How You Can Prepare Your Kids for Educational Success!, a clear-cut guide to building an effective educational development plan. She currently teaches in South Central Los Angeles.