We recently connected with Shemica Watkins-johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Shemica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
Taking a risk in dance or anything you love means putting your passion on display for the world to see, knowing that not everyone will value it the way you do. The challenge isn’t just in the movement itself but in the vulnerability it requires. You’re exposing a part of yourself, your culture, your emotions, and your story, hoping that others will understand and respect it.
It takes courage because rejection is always a possibility. It takes discipline because the road isn’t always easy, and you have to keep refining your craft. It takes resilience because, even when people don’t get it, you have to keep pushing forward. And it takes determination because, at the end of the day, no one will believe in it as much as you do at least not at first.
But the beauty of taking that risk is that, over time, the right people will see it. The right audience, the right opportunities, and the right moments will align. And when they do, all that struggle, all that faith you had in your craft, proves that the risk was always worth it.
This journey is a testament to my resilience and passion. Showing up when no one else does, investing in myself when the results aren’t immediate, and constantly refining my approach takes a different kind of strength. But this is what separates those who just try something from those who become something.
The fact that I’ve stuck with it since 2014 speaks volumes. This process may test me, but every challenge sharpens my vision. And when the breakthrough comes, it won’t just be about success—it’ll be about the years of dedication that made it possible. Keep pushing, because the foundation I’ve built is solid.
Shemica, 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?
Shemica Watkins-Johnson is a dancer, performer and teacher with extensive experience in traditional and contemporary dances of the African diaspora including Afro-Haitian, Hip hop, Guniea and Dancehall, Congolese and Soca .
Born in Nuremberg, Germany and raised in Oakland, California, Shemica comes from a family of dancers, including her parents who were international performers and competitive dancers.
Dancehall Queen in 2013, Shemica is the originator of Caliwynd, a dance style with influences in Afro-Haitan, Reggae Vybz , Soca and Congolese . Her dance and teaching practice is rooted in the understanding that dance builds community by uniting people and unlocking their ability for uninhibited creative expression for healing and empowerment. She currently resides with Carnival Band Karibbean Vibrationz and has been apart of there winning streak for the last 3 years.
I have cultivated a dance style called Caliwynd you probably wondering what is that
We’ll let me welcome you
Welcome to Caliwynd, where dance is more than just movement—it’s a journey of self-discovery, health, and empowerment. This class invites you to be open-minded with yourself and your body, embracing the freedom of expression and the joy of movement.
In Caliwynd, we believe that dance is a powerful tool for releasing what no longer serves you. Each session is designed to help you let go of stress, negativity, and anything that holds you back, creating space for positive energy and growth. As you move, you’ll feel a sense of liberation, both physically and emotionally.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Caliwynd is also an excellent way to keep your body healthy and strong. The dynamic movements help burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and stave off conditions like diabetes and body aches. The only aches and cramps you’ll experience here are the good kind—the ones that remind you that your body is doing important work, building strength and endurance.
While we follow the 3 styles of Caliwynd
1. HAVE FUN
2. HAVE FUN
3. NEVER STOP DANCING
Our Sunday classes are all about fun and self-expression. You’ll leave feeling rejuvenated, with a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection to your body. Join us and discover how dance can be a powerful tool for both personal growth and physical well-being. Let’s take this journey of freeness together!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
It was a strategy of balancing personal storytelling, dance, and valuable insights to connect to my followers. I had the pleasure of having Lyd Rock an influencer and a good friend help me refine my approach to building my audience and that showed the power of collaboration, and my consistency is what really made the difference.
Starting Caliwynd Speaks which is a platform of open discussion Monday through Friday on different topics of life gave people something deeper to connect with beyond the dance, and that keeps them coming back. The mix of short reels, freestyle, and class promotions keeps my content fresh while staying true to my brand. This kind of dedication is what separates those who just post from those who build a real audience, and that’s all I want to do.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
The best source of new clients for me has been class passes having those in my class has been a tremendous upscale for my class so bring those to the market took my class to a different level and adding different online purchases to my website definitely has brought in new clients as well..
Website
www.caliwynd14.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caliwynd14.com
- Instagram: Caliwynd
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@shemicawatkins497?si=jrhMKkQY5rHlj7DU
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/mj9p4wpFxy2AWf9JA
