Ashley Wilson, a graduate of St. John’s University with a Master of Science in Education, has released her debut children’s book, “A Hat & A Hijab,” after shifting her career from the music industry to education.
Wilson began her professional journey at Bad Boy Entertainment as a human resources intern while still in high school. She later advanced within the music industry, promoting artists and clients such as Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, and Alicia Keys by distributing press materials and organizing events. Her responsibilities also included assembling press kits and creating publicity packets.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications from Temple University, Wilson pursued further studies at St. John’s University and later completed a second master’s degree in Educational Leadership at George Mason University. She now serves as an assistant principal for the New York City Board of Education and has held various roles working directly with students. Wilson expressed satisfaction in supporting students from her own community, focusing on bridging achievement gaps and reducing the school-to-prison pipeline for minority youth.
In discussing the origins of her book, Wilson said: “A Hat & A Hijab was originally inspired by a children’s book writing class I took as an undergraduate at Temple University. The first version of the story featured two little boys and centered on two religions that were different from my own. Years later, during the pandemic, I found myself with more time to reflect and revisit the story. I decided to rewrite it, reimagining the characters as two little girls and shifting the religious representation to better reflect my own lived experiences. At its core, the idea has always been the same: to tell a gentle, child-centered story about misunderstandings, curiosity, and love, showing how kindness and open dialogue can bring children together.”
Wilson hopes readers will gain insight into cultural differences through her work: “I hope readers, both children and adults, walk away with a deeper understanding that cultural differences are not barriers to friendship. Friendship doesn’t require fear, sadness, or silence; it requires kindness, open minds, and the courage to ask questions. I also hope young readers, especially Black girls, see themselves reflected on the pages and feel affirmed, seen, and valued.”
Reflecting on her writing process she added: “What surprised me most was how powerful small changes could be. Shifting the characters’ identities and perspectives gave the story a deeper sense of purpose and alignment with my values. It reminded me that stories evolve as we do and that revisiting old ideas can lead to something even more meaningful.”
Regarding the title’s significance Wilson explained: “The title A Hat & A Hijab highlights two visible symbols of culture and faith that often spark curiosity or misunderstanding among children. Rather than positioning these differences as obstacles, the title invites readers to see them as starting points for conversation, learning, and connection. In the book, the main character Sydney is gifted a hat, and she asks her best friend Marwa if she would like to wear it. Marwa wears a Hijab due to her religion and declines to wear the hat. This was really the final straw that led to the conflict of misunderstanding between the two characters.”
She also noted what she learned during writing: “I learned that representation truly matters especially in children’s literature. Seeing stories about Black girls on book covers is still far too rare, and I realized how intentional we must be as writers in shaping the narratives young people consume.”
Discussing changes made during development she said: “Yes, the most significant change was completely reimagining the characters and the religions represented. While the original storyline focused on two boys, the revised version centers Black girls and cultural experiences that are closer to my own while maintaining the heart of the original message.”
Her advice for aspiring authors is clear: “Write with intention and courage. Don’t be afraid to revisit revise or even reinvent your work as you grow Children’s literature is powerful; it shapes how young people see themselves and others so tell stories that are honest inclusive And most importantly write rooted in love And most importantly write rooted in love And most importantly write rooted in love And most importantly write rooted in love And most importantly write rooted in love And most importantly write rooted in love And most importantly write rooted in love.”
