Rising Stars: Meet Imani Brejé

Today we’d like to introduce you to Imani Brejé. Them and their team share their story with us below:

Imani Brejé began dancing at the young age of one, it started as one of the many activities her parents placed her in until she began to ask more and more to attend dance classes. Dancing from elementary to high school, ImaniBrejé began her journey to becoming a professional dancer. Her last year in high school she suffered a torn meniscus and sprained ACL in her right knee. Despite multiple doctors telling her “she would never dance again,” she sustained menisucus surgery and 3 years later she proudly attended Howard University in Washington, DC, where she went on to receive her BFA in Dance in May 2019. She is originally from Los Angeles, California; where she received her AA degree in Dance from Cerritos College May 2017. Amongst many other titles at Howard University, she held the position as Rehearsal Assistant for the HU Dance Council and Resident Assistant of Upperclassmen dorms.

All while juggling the loss of her beloved Nana, being a full-time student, dance major performances & rehearsals and being the first dance major at Howard University to become a full-time member of a professional dance company while still in college. Immediately following her culmination from Howard University, she continued being a full-time company member with Company E in Washington, DC for four seasons. ImaniBrejé has built such an amazing rapport with Company E that all Howard University Dance Majors now have the opportunity to dance with the company. Though nothing in life is sunshine and rainbows life began to take a turn for ImaniBrejé … COVID-19. Performing for an audience is the core of being a professional dancer, so when COVID hit Washington, DC ImaniBrejé’s life was turned around. All her travels and performances were canceled, presenting her with the unforeseen opportunity to move back home to be with her family. Though very hesitant and saddened, ImaniBrejé abruptly moved back to California to be near her family in August 2020. She now resides in Los Angeles, CA where she has continued her career as a freelance dancer, dance instructor and full-time content creator. ImaniBrejé has just begun her first season with one of the Los Angeles Clippers entertainment teams; dancing on the court, interacting with fans and being the face of promotions. She continues to create content full-time for TikTok, YouTube and Instagram while also working as a part-time server.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Suicidal thoughts. Depression. Insecurities. Self-doubt. Lost. Heartbreak. Injuries and lack of motivation have all played a large role in the evolution of ImaniBrejé. 2014 was the beginning of physical pain. A teenage dancer whose first love was dance, spraining her ACL and tearing her meniscus is one of the worst things that can happen right before college applications are due. Losing your Nana, your bestfriend on this planet while away at college can definitely take a toll on your mental health. And within that same year losing your cousin and two great-aunts really make you question being away for school. While living my best life at Howard University, I was losing people I loved left and right back home. 2019, I fell in love, but my life was so messed up that I didn’t know how to love him properly and vice versa. Childhood traumas that I suppressed my whole life came back to visit me and refused to be ignored and quieted. 2020, I weighed nearly less than 100 pounds due to COVID depression and a genuine dislike of myself. Everything that everyone loved about me, I didn’t like about myself. Dance was and still is my first love, but being judged 24/7 for my size, hair, height, looks, technique, abilities, etc. can be a bit overwhelming. These things only scratch the surface of my struggles thus far and even with everything stated, I’ve still persevered. I refuse to let my difficulties define me. I’ve grown to love myself; traumas, “flaws,” troubles and all. Everything I have gone through and will go through is creating the best version of me; ImaniBrejé.

“GOD IS WITHIN HER, SHE WILL NOT FALL” Psalm 46:5

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?
In her years of training ImaniBrejé has had the ability to train and study many genres of dance: Ballet, Jazz, Heels, Hip Hop, West African, Improvisation, Contemporary Modern, and Modern: Horton and Graham. ​

She does not only see dance as a confidence booster or an emotional outlet but a physical way to communicate cultural and political views to the current generation. Yet, she is also an enthusiast of abstract movement; movement with no emotional connection. Her favorite place to be is “in her room just moving to music and being milky.” ImaniBrejé defines milky as any type of movement that feels good on the body.

Outside of her many accolades, ImaniBrejé is most proud of the influence she has on the younger generations watching her. In a world of posting your best moments and accomplishments, ImaniBrejé shares the difficult things. The not so pretty moments of life as a dancer, content creator, and woman in her 20s. She takes great pride in being authentic and unapologetically herself.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Email: [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imanibreje/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ImaniBrejé
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@imanibreje

Image Credits
LAC photographer. Paul Gordon Emerson. Victor Amaechi.