We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kiana Shaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kiana below.

Alright, Kiana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The biggest risk I took was moving to Chicago, Il. I moved to Chicago by myself in 2014. My grandmother was the only person I knew there and she lived in the suburbs. I had to build myself from the ground up as a choreographer and dancer. It was very different from what I was used too, they had an underground dance scene and I was so intrigued. I ended up collating with this Asian break dancer who helped me become apart of an organization called “Chicago loves dance”. I did a couple of music videos when I lived in Chicago and eventually started my business Fab and Fit Dance LLC. This was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken, and I would do it all over again if I had too.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kiana Shaw. I was born and raised in Memphis,Tn. I started doing ballet, and jazz recitals in elementary and middle school. When I got to high school became captain of the Southwind High school competitive dance team. We were first in the city, first in the state and sixth in the nation during my reign. I think, being on the competitive dance team and being able to travel really made me want to pursue dance as a career. After I graduated high school, I started teaching teaching zumba classes in my granddad’s church, in Memphis, Tn. I later moved to Chicago, Il, and no one knew me there so I had to build my dance clientele back up. This is what made me officially start my company Fab and Fit Dance LLC. I first started teaching cardio dance fitness classes, and did choreography for local indie artist throughout Chicago. I later, became apart of organization called “chicago loves dance”, which allowed me to become dance/cheer coach for many private schools in the Chicago suburbs. I moved back to Memphis in 2019 and started my own competitive dance team. I also started back teaching cardio dance fitness classes as well as hip hop classes. This led me to launch my own athleisure line called “fab and fit merch”. I can honestly say I am very appreciative and thankful for my accomplishments, but i can assure it didn’t come without adversity and hardship. As a young, african american entrepreneur woman, I have to say, it is hard, very hard, and there will be many days were you want to quit and just give up. We have to remember to take breaks, and not compare our journeys to others, and most importantly remember and focus on why we are doing what we are doing. My goal, with my business, Fab and Fit Dance LLC, is to encourage a healthy lifestyle through the art of dance culture, especially in minority communities.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes! My goal is to offer different varieties of dance culture in urban neighborhoods. I started off doing ballet, but thats because I went to private school. There were no dance studios in my neighborhood, and honestly dance changed my life for the better. I want to give young girls the same opportunity I had growing up, I want them to know that it’s dance scholarships that can get you into college if this is your passion. My main goal is to have a chain of dance studios across America in urban communities.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing my vision come to life. When i hear music, I automatically visualize routines in my head that would look nice with the song. To have that vision is amazing, but to visualize then have another creative execute and perform the routine perfectly and see the audience applaud your work is a feeling unexplainable, it gives me so much joy! Those are the moments i look forward too.

Contact Info:

• Website: Fabandfitdance.co
• Instagram: @fabandfitdance
• Facebook: Fab N Fit Dance
• Linkedin: Kiana Shaw
• Youtube: UCSYdXb_KhJ7VOAcz8UTnqtQ