Daily Inspiration: Meet Andre Gilbert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Gilbert.

Hi Andre, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from Paterson, New Jersey, and I’ve been dancing since I could walk. I really began taking dance seriously while attending Virginia State University, where I joined different organizations and became more involved in the creative community. After graduating with a degree in Business Marketing, I moved to Atlanta, where I took things up a notch and expanded into modeling, content creation, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week, perform at World of Dance United States, become an official background dancer for Big Boss Vette, dance in music videos for various artists, and work on set with Disney for *The Wonder Years* reboot. My comedic, fashion, and dance content has also been featured on Gaye Magazine and other blogs.

I also created KOKODON SKIN, a skincare brand centered around embracing beauty in its natural state. After taking a step back from the brand, I’m now rebuilding it with more experience and a clearer vision. Today, I’m based in Los Angeles, continuing to grow as a dancer, model, creator, entrepreneur, and entertainer while embracing every side of who I am.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. There have been a lot of ups and downs, including rejection, financial challenges, opportunities that didn’t work out, and moments where I questioned whether I was doing enough or moving fast enough. I’ve also had to be honest with myself about making bad choices and allowing toxic relationships and distractions to take me away from my goals at times.

With KOKODON SKIN specifically, I learned some hard lessons about business, consistency, and knowing when to step back and regroup. Taking that step back wasn’t easy, but it gave me the opportunity to grow and come back with a clearer vision.

I’ve learned that setbacks don’t define you—how you respond to them does. Every experience, good or bad, has taught me more about myself, what I want, and the person I’m becoming. The road hasn’t been smooth, but I’m grateful for the lessons because they’ve made me more intentional about where I’m going.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary creative and entrepreneur, but I also have a career in finance. I currently work as a Relationship Banker with Chase, and this is my rookie season as a member of the LA Clippers Chucks Crew. Outside of that, I run my skincare brand, KOKODON SKIN, and do choreography on the side.

My background spans finance, dance, modeling, entertainment, content creation, fashion, comedy, and entrepreneurship. I’m most proud of being able to build a life where I don’t have to choose just one passion. From performing at World of Dance and dancing for Big Boss Vette to walking in New York Fashion Week, working on set with Disney, and building my own brand, I’ve continuously found ways to turn my creativity into opportunities.

What sets me apart is my versatility and personality. I’m comfortable in a corporate environment, on a stage, in front of a camera, or building something of my own. I’ve never wanted to be defined by just one title, and I think that ability to move between different worlds while still being authentically myself is what makes my journey unique.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Los Angeles is the creativity, opportunity, and the variety of experiences it offers. I love that you can have so many different sceneries in one place—rural areas, beautiful views, mountains, palm trees, beaches, and the full city vibe. Coming from Atlanta, I was already used to being around creatives, but LA has a different kind of energy. It feels like everyone here is chasing something and wants to make it, and being surrounded by that ambition motivates me and gives me a sense of thrill. It’s also given me opportunities to grow in different areas of my career, from joining the LA Clippers Chucks Crew to continuing to build KOKODON SKIN and my creative work. What I like least, though, is definitely the food! I miss what the East Coast has to offer—there’s just more flavor over there, lol. And of course, the traffic and how spread out everything is can be a lot, but overall, I really enjoy LA and everything it allows me to experience and become.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kokodonskin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.ndrelamar/