Samantha P. Davis

Founder & Co-Executive Director

Samantha Paige Davis (she/they) is the Founder & Executive Director of the Black Swan Academy (BSA). She is a Black Feminist, organizer, policy wonk, and story teller working through an anti-oppressive framework. In the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin verdict; Samantha was sparked into action, leaned into her life-long commitment to racial and gender justice and founded BSA, to create a pipeline of Black youth civic leaders. 

She currently serves on the Black Women & Girls Advocacy Taskforce and the Self Development of People national committee of  Presbyterian Church USA. She is the former field engagement manager for YWCA USA, where she has developed a new state-level advocacy initiative, a nationwide get out the vote effort and mobilized over 200 associations to do racial and gender justice work. Samantha has her Master in Public Policy from American University.

Her work has been recognized by American University, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, the National Urban League and among Essence's 2019 Woke100.

Naïké Savain

Co-Executive Director of Programs

Naïké Savain (she/her) is a movement builder and advocate based in Washington, DC, who is committed to removing barriers so directly impacted people can effectively advocate for equity and justice in all areas of their lives. Naïké prioritizes relationships, moves with integrity, and is the same person whether or not anyone is watching. Throughout her career, Naïké has centered the experiences of the District's Black youth and families as she worked to co-create a community in which we all have a meaningful opportunity to thrive, not just survive.

Naïké spent seven years as a best interest lawyer for children in foster care in the District, served as a commissioner for the DC Police Reform Commission, then spent three years as the Director of Policy at a Black-led policy advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Through those roles, she witnessed firsthand the consequences of harmful public policy, forged strong relationships with community stakeholders, connected directly impacted people of all ages with the tools and information they needed to transform the District’s approach to public safety, and zealously fought to improve the lives of Washingtonians who had experienced state violence. Naïké is focused on creating new systems that welcome, rather than tolerate, meaningful participation from those who are directly impacted, especially the District's young people.

Naïké earned her JD from Georgetown University Law Center and a BA in Political Science and French from Amherst College. She is fluent in Haitian Creole, French, and English, and speaks intermediate Spanish.