Dr. Asya Johnson, principal at HBCU Early College Prep High School, has a moment with her students. / PHOTO COURTESY OF HBCU EARLY COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
Impactful educators who intentionally and passionately pour into their students are invaluable parts of our community. Dr. Asya Johnson, founding principal and creator of the HBCU Early College Prep High School in Jamaica, Queens, NY, has proven to be a principal who will leave a lifelong positive impression on her students, and thankfully, she’s just getting started in this exciting role.
Dr. Johnson, a Philadelphia native, boasts an impressive career that spans two decades. Before HBCU Early College Prep, she received an Ed.D. from Drexel University; an Ed.M. from Bank Street College; an M.Ed. from Holy Family University and a B.A. from her beloved HBCU, Delaware State University. She has served as a principal in the South Bronx and Harlem. In addition, Dr. Johnson assisted with the creation of special education instruction for incarcerated youth in Rikers Island correctional facility. In short, sis has receipts.
In, September 2025 the doors of the HBCU Early College Prep School opened and Dr. Johnson hasn’t taken her foot off the gas since. The first high school of its kind in the nation, HBCU Early College Prep has received overwhelming support and interest. In fact, with only 100 seats available for its first class, more than 1,000 students applied for admission. The school’s mission is to “cultivate a community of learners dedicated to academic excellence, diversity, societal contributions and social justice.”
Superintendent of Queens South High Schools, Dr. Josephine Van-Ess sheds an insider light on the school’s uniqueness. “As someone who grew up in this community and walked these same streets our students walk, I know firsthand what it means when young people can see a clear path to their future,” she says. “HBCU Early College Prep High School represents an investment in generational change, not just for individual students, but for entire families. When our young people graduate with college credits, exposure to HBCUs, and a deep sense of cultural pride, they return to this neighborhood as doctors, educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who lift others as they climb.”
ESSENCE.com caught up with Dr. Johnson to find out how Dr. Johnson’s students are giving back to their community in tangible ways, how her students inspire her and the creative way she brings legendary HBCU Homecoming vibes to Southeast Queens for her students.
The future of HBCUs is now! / PHOTO COURTESY OF HBCU EARLY COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
ESSENCE.com: What is your biggest challenge in this extremely important position as founder and principal of the first and only HBCU High School?
DR. ASYA JOHNSON: Since opening our doors, we’ve received significant outreach from HBCU graduates, community-based organizations, and various partners eager to support our mission. The biggest challenge I’ve faced has been managing the tremendous interest from external organizations.
While this enthusiasm is both flattering and welcomed, it has required me to develop the difficult skill of saying no to organizations that don’t align with our school’s mission and vision. Authentic alignment with our values and our student needs must come first. Protecting the integrity of our mission means being selective and intentional about every partnership we pursue.
ESSENCE.com: Explain how graduates of HBCU Early College Prep High School will receive a diploma and an associate’s degree from an HBCU.
DR. JOHNSON: Students are dually enrolled in both high school and college classes, allowing them to earn 64 tuition-free college credits by their fourth year of high school. Upon graduation, our scholars will have both their high school diploma and an associate’s degree from Delaware State University (DSU), as well as automatic admission into the university. Additionally, our students receive mentorship from DSU Presidential Scholars, providing them with guidance and support with staying on track for success.
Black Girl Joy at HBCU Early College Prep High School. / PHOTO COURTESY OF HBCU EARLY COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL
ESSENCE.com: What are your scholars doing in the school’s surrounding community?
DR. JOHNSON: In physics, students are working directly with NYCHA public housing residents, collecting real-world data and using evidence to refine their designs and advocate for scalable solutions in public housing. They are completing a powerful learning module where they use physics concepts to design, build, and test low-cost, renter-friendly solutions that address safety and health problems in apartments.
Students will partner with NYCHA residents to validate their devices in real apartments, collecting before-and-after data to measure impact. Finally, students will pitch evidence-based recommendations to Empower NY, NYCHA, and local tenants’ organizations, making the case for scaling these DIY solutions across public housing.
ESSENCE.com: That’s impressive. Tell us about some of the extra-curricular activities your students have participated in.
DR. JOHNSON: Our scholars are involved in a rich array of extracurricular activities that extend their learning beyond the classroom and into transformative real-world experiences.
During winter recess, some of our students embarked on a week-long trip to Ghana where they engaged in community service at a local junior high school, forging connections with students across the diaspora. They visited Cape Coast, a point of departure where our ancestors were forcibly taken. This is a deeply meaningful journey that connects them to their heritage and history.
Back home, our scholars participate in the Young Debaters team, our HBCU Band, and female self-empowerment programs with the Greater Queens Links, Inc. – each designed to build confidence, skill, and community. Through the KAPPA League and programming such as the Junior Investment and Stock Market Challenge, with the help of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. our scholars are becoming financially literate.
ESSENCE.com: You will be adding a grade each year until you reach the 12th grade. It seems like this will help build a strong bond between the students.
DR. JOHNSON: Yes, we plan to add a grade each year until we reach 12th grade, creating a cohesive learning community that grows together over time.
Building strong bonds and a sense of camaraderie has already become a cornerstone of our school culture, established through our summer bridge program and innovative “House” system. Each scholar is placed in one of four houses named for an influential HBCU: Hampton House, “SpelHouse” (Spelman x Morehouse), Howard House, and Clark Atlanta House. There are 25 students per house and two dedicated Deans assigned to each.
Within their houses, scholars dive deep into institutional history, learning about notable alumni and exploring majors related to their career interests, creating a direct connection to their HBCU futures. We ground this work in the African proverb “Ubuntu,” meaning “I am because we are.” This is a philosophy that we consistently reinforce to build a sense of interconnectedness across our school community.
ESSENCE.com: Inquiring minds must know: Any plans to take your students to an HBCU Homecoming?
DR. JOHNSON: I am a very proud graduate of the illustrious Delaware State University, and yes, I do return for Homecoming whenever I can. Our students have attended DSU’s campus, however rather than taking them to DSU’s Homecoming, we decided to create our own Homecoming tradition right here, bringing that HBCU spirit directly to our scholars.
Our inaugural Homecoming celebration included a spirited pep rally complete with a step show performed by each house, showcasing the talent, creativity, and house pride of our students. We also hosted a Homecoming dance and crowned our very first Mr. & Miss HBCU, creating memories that our scholars will carry with them throughout their lives. This approach allows us to immerse our students in authentic HBCU culture while building our own unique traditions from the ground up.
ESSENCE.com: What have your students taught you?
DR. JOHNSON: Being a 14-year-old college student is no easy feat. They are simultaneously adjusting to rigorous college coursework, navigating the social dynamics of high school, and juggling multiple extracurricular activities.
Despite these demands, every single one of our scholars has proven themselves dedicated to earning top grades while maintaining their passion for learning. Already, they have identified the specific HBCUs they are interested in, demonstrating both vision and intentionality about their futures.
They are teaching me what’s possible when schools provide students of color with the right opportunities to be challenged, coupled with the appropriate amount of support. Their potential becomes limitless.
Dr. Johnson is molding leaders at HBCU Early College Prep High School . / PHOTO COURTESY OF HBCU EARLY COLLEGE PREP HIGH SCHOOL