Meet Travii Aiko | Dancer & Choreographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Travii Aiko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Travii, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is to never give up. It sounds cliche but the reality of it is that you have to keep pressing. Whether it may not feel good or there might be challenges that seem like its unbeatable, attack it. I was taught the value of putting in effort and striving for excellence. This mindset has stayed with me throughout my life and has been instrumental in achieving my goals. When you keep your eyes on the prize and have faith in self, anything is achievable. I also believe that a positive attitude is essential for success. By maintaining a “I CAN DO IT” mentality and staying optimistic even during difficult times, I have been able to overcome struggles and achieve my goals, turning my test into testimonies. With dedication, discipline, support from loved ones, trusting and believing in oneself, a positive attitude, anyone can achieve their dreams. You just have to be ready to put in the hard work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Lead Community Health Outreach Worker at NAESM Inc. I am also a Artistic Director and Choreographer for Legend Elite Dance Company. I moved to Atlanta, GA in 2018, and landed a job at NAESM, Inc. as a community health outreach worker. i have appeared on talk shows, dance shows such as The KiKi Show Season 1 and 2, Legendary HBO Max Season 3; Red Bull Documentary, appeared in music videos as a back dancer for various artist, and performed at numerous community events. Through it all, as a queer artist, I make sure to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Later, I discovered the talent in ballroom that goes beyond vogue performance. i saw talent in the voguers performance that was diverse. As I continued to get book to perform, I wanted to give opportunities to the voguers within the scene who also had a passion for the art of dance. i fel it was my job to always represent the community for its true beauty, genderless but talented. It became an identity for people of the LGBTQ+ community to dance freely, no matter what gender you identify as. So,I create a team that later became a company whose repertoire is rooted in vogue, but limitless to all styles of dance “LEGEND ELITE DANCE COMPANY”. Founded through the job I work at, Not only because I had a personal interaction within the ballroom scene, but from the agency standpoint we frequently did outreach within that community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta beltline, Piedmont Park, Blakes Bar, and Hopefully its a Ball that weekend, and Traffik because they do the drags brunch. All things queer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a couple of Shoutouts that I personally want to give. One in particular is my Job NAESM Inc, they all me to be flexible, and creative on my job. They give me the space and opportunity to be able to perform at conferences, community events, and at different pride events. They have been a very good support system for me. and I am overly blessed to have them in my corner.

My Mom has truly been a support system for since day one. She has always pushed me to reach for higher than the sky. She has also been one to teach me about adding something to my brand to make the brand bigger. For that, I am forever grateful for all of her unconditional love and support she has for me.

My chosen family, Toni Bryce, Megan Williams, James Woods, Ajani Simmonds, Supa Green, Nastee Manns, Tj, Craig Williams, Nathan Townsend , the list goes on…… This is my support system!!

Instagram: @traviiaiko_

Facebook: Travii Aiko

Youtube: @lashdancervoguefem3471