Nafessa Williams (born December 4, 1989 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American film and television actress best known for her dynamic screen presence and groundbreaking roles across genres. Williams began her on-screen career with her debut in the 2011 film Streets (2011) and soon transitioned into television with notable early performances as Deanna Forbes on One Life to Live and Margo Ivey on The Bold and the Beautiful. She gained wider recognition with supporting roles in films such as Black and Blue (2019), A Holiday Chance (2021), and her critically anticipated portrayal of Robyn Crawford in the Whitney Houston biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022).

On television, Williams achieved international prominence for her portrayal of Anissa Pierce / Thunder on The CW’s superhero drama Black Lightning (2018–2021), earning praise for bringing to life the first Black lesbian superhero in mainstream TV and a 2018 Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice TV: Breakout Star for her work on the series. Following Black Lightning, she continued to expand her range with a standout role as Cameron Cook in the period drama series Rivals (2024–2026), streaming on Hulu and Disney+, where she stars as a savvy American TV producer navigating the competitive world of 1980s British broadcasting.

Over her career, Williams has also contributed voice work in NBA 2K17 and appeared in acclaimed festival features like Burning Sands. Known for her commitment to diverse storytelling and representation, Williams remains a compelling presence in both film and television as her career evolves.