Shelby Williams ’21 Honored with the Princeton Prize in Race Relations

Shelby Williams ’21 is the recipient of the Certificate of Accomplishment from The Philadelphia Committee of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations. The certificate recognizes the important work she has done to advance racial equity and foster positive race relations within the George School community.  

Last Summer, Shelby recognized Black students and alumni needed a platform to share their experiences with racism and discrimination. From there, she created the @blackatgeorgeschool Instagram account. From June to August, the account received well over 100 submissions.  

“I wanted to uplift Black voices and move our community closer to our Quaker values of equality,” Shelby said. “From the beginning, I was met with great support from faculty members, students, the Deans, Kim Bryant, Sam Houser, and Rachel Agosto.”  

Throughout the summer, Shelby hosted Zoom meetings to learn about community experiences and brainstorm solutions, and advocated for changes to George School policies and procedures. Many of those changes were included in George School’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan for the 2020-2021 school year.  

“I am so grateful to have received this recognition from the Princeton Prize,” she said. “Racial advocacy work can be very time consuming and emotionally draining, but I’m very glad that so many incredible young peoples’ efforts can be rewarded in this way.” 

Shelby serves as a Lead Tour Guide, Day Student Prefect, and is the Student Council Secretary. She is a fall Varsity Cheerleader and plays lacrosse.  

“Shelby models the essence of a George School education,” said Sam Houser, Head of School. “We are all proud of her for using her intellect and drive to serve others in creating a more equal, equitable, and peaceful world.”