I started reading the Percy Jackson books when I was ten, as they were first coming out. I felt an immediate connection with Annabeth. She was a 12-year-old blonde girl who was tough, and smart, and brave, and a huge nerd. I was a scrawny blonde 5th grader who was smart, and tried to be tough, and tried to be brave, and got a lot of “dumb blonde” jokes lobbed at me. I loved seeing myself in Annabeth. She meant a lot to me growing up - and her character still means a lot to me now, 16 years later.

And. I am so, so excited for Leah Sava Jeffries to play Annabeth Chase. I am so, so excited for Black girls to see themselves in her too; to see themselves portrayed as tough, and smart, and brave, and nerdy. I am so excited for all the kids watching this show to see Annabeth Chase as a Black girl. It meant so much to privileged little me to see a smart blonde girl fight and think and love her way through the world of Percy Jackson and I believe with my whole heart that it means even more to see a smart Black girl do that. Blonde Annabeth was important to me, and so is Black Annabeth. These things are both true.

I hope that Disney and Rick do Leah justice. I am confident that Leah will do justice to Annabeth.

I am so excited for this girl, and I am so excited to see PJO come to life in a way that reflects the heart and soul of the books I grew up with.

Here’s looking at you, Annabeth Chase