"[3] In April 2021, Waters became the director of AP African American Studies, the new college-level course for advanced-placement students in high school.

[8] In an interview with PBS NewsHour, Waters explained that research among university professors and higher-ed groups showed that the field of Black studies has gained increased attention in the past decade, which she said justified the creation of a new source-analysis based AP course.

In an interview on CBS Mornings with Tony Dokoupil and Gayle King, Waters explained that the official curriculum was created after talking with teachers, students, and professional academics.

[11] After the College Board released the official course framework following DeSantis' announcement, the New York Times accused the organization of stripping down the course curriculum to appease conservatives.

[12] Waters responded by asserting that the "College Board does not bend to politics,"[13] that the curriculum was already decided prior to DeSantis' blocking of the course, and that the Times article was not factual.