We recently connected with Kiarra Banks and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kiarra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

One of the kindest things someone has done for me, was being recognized for all of my hard work as a DJ at the “Dreams do come true Brunch”. That year me and my fellow Dj sister MK was recognized because we both recently, at the time experienced losing our parent/parents, and still managed to be strong and to keep pushing forward. Do yo be recognized and receiving our flowers was such an amazing feeling.

Kiarra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into the industry because I was introduced to the art of music at a very young age. It started at the private school I attended, because we would have music lessons as early as 8 AM in the morning. We will learn every instrument the purpose of the instrument the sound of the instrument, and how to read music..

It wasn’t until I was 21 years old that I a pursued becoming a disc jockey. Music was already second nature to me. So playing with the DJ programs and mixing music was actually easy. I purchased the required equipment as time went on bought better laptops, and also was critiqued by renowned Dj’s and perfected my skills.

It’s such a joy to watch people have such a wonderful time. Has I played music watch them dance, and just release and have fun. I feel that the style of DJ that I have sets a perfect tone for the events because I know how to adjust.

I believe what sets me apart from other female Dj’s is that I’m very diverse, and I also carry myself a certain way. I can also rock and old school party just as much as a new hip-hop party..

What I am most proud of is the amount of love and support that I have received over the years from my community because of the mini events I have done throughout the city of Jacksonville. Sometimes it is mine blowing how much people really support me because I don’t really see myself as such a big influence, when I’m constantly told that I am.

Aside from just being a DJ, I also love to encourage people be very supportive of other brands and businesses in Jacksonville, because I always believe in supporting the community. Whether it’s a small clothing brand, pop-up shops, and just other events, I try my best to attend or even if I can’t attend purchase something.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey has been a very interesting journey. A lot of people don’t know what I dealt with in my personal life. My oldest sister passed away when I was 17 years old and I did not go off to college because I wanted to stay home to help my mom with my nieces that my sister left behind. Later down ally, my mom got sick and then having to be there for her and my nieces was a lot, however, I still manage to get through everything.

Imagine working a 9 to 5, dropping your Niece off to school, checking on your mom at her chemo appointments and then have to DJ the same night, that’s a lot, but that’s where my resilience came in to play, because I never stopped. I kept going, despite how hard life got and how life is treated me sometimes. Thank goodness for supportive, friends, supportive family and honestly keeping God first, because sometimes I look back and think, “ wow, I survived a lot of trauma and pain, but to also think, that’s what molded me to be the wonderful person I am.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to pivot business a little bit when COVID-19 happened. I believe I had at least already 30 bookings that year just for them to all get cancelled because we could not interact with each other. It was a very scary feeling, but I flipped that negative aura to a positive because I finally thought like “ wow, I did not know I need a break to rest.” he gave me time to think, to slow down to pause, and really look at the direction of my business, my life and moving forward.

I started reading more books, taking the time to dig into myself deeper and that as well open the door to learn about investing whether it’s in my self, in the stock market, Real Estate, and just other avenues of how to invest. I gained knowledge on the importance of investing and the rewards of investing.

By the end of 2020 I invested in my first set of vending machines. So now not only am I just a DJ, I’m an investor as well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiki_bangdhat
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kikibangdhat811?si=Q66FElYpLQNcL-De