A Date With Destiny

I first started in September 2020 after we had come out of lockdown. My older sister had found a black peoples pole class and I wanted to try it out. I didn't book on at the time and then she came home and showed me all the videos from the class, and I was so jealous that I missed it, so I booked straight away for the next class. Since then, I don’t think I've gone more than a week without doing pole

Cross ankle layback because I have finally mastered it or maybe Hello Boys. I love any type of pirouette and spin, especially in a fast choreo. Clacks and bangs are also a fave because they are dramatic and I live for it!

Definitely a suicide spin. They scare the life out of me, but I am determined to get it one day.

If I am training tricks usually blast drill/trap music because it gets me feeling hyped. If I am dancing in a more sensual way 'Or Nah' by the Weekend is defo a fave and easy to freestyle to as I know the lyrics and beats inside out. I also love a bit of Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B.

My students inspire me more than anyone. Especially teaching so many beginner classes, getting to witness their journeys with me and seeing them evolve and grow with so much confidence.

My fave would have to be my yellow fitted tee from Kedeyahko from the TALLAWAH collection. Representing my culture and favourite activity all in one.

I love the inclusion and representation. Seeing pole dancers with braids, headwraps on, dark skin women being represented are all things you don't often see in brands so seeing so many people of all backgrounds proudly repping the brand is amazing to me.

It is an honour to be able to represent Kedeyahko being the first official Kween for such a game changing brand. Being able to see myself and so many other people represented in the pole industry makes me so proud and happy so I will always be a number 1 fan.

Where do I start? The number of times I have fallen out of a layback straight onto my head, I am surprised I haven’t injured myself more tbh. My first ever pole class was the least sexy ever. I had my hair in a bun and some long green shorts on. You won’t catch me in that much clothing again lol.

I think the representation of black and brown bodies WAS missing in the pole community but with showcases such as Blxckstage and now Kedeyahko coming through we are starting to see a change. I think in many cases there is still room for improvement and I'm sure everyone wants to see as much diversity as possible eg. line ups showcasing black and brown people, SWers, plus size people, LGBTQ+ people and so much more. There also needs to be a lot more support and respect for strippers and SWers in the industry especially with the scary times of strip clubs being shut down and safe places of work closing. Many people are coming through with the support now but still in 2022 seeing things like #notastripper doing the rounds and studios not allowing stripper style classes taught by the people who founded pole etc I think people should definitely show gratitude to the founders of the pole industry.

I know a little bit of sign language which I originally started learning because I am deaf in one ear and I always thought that if my future children were deaf I wanted to be able to communicate with them. I started learning in college but I stopped as A Levels were rough, but I want to get back into it now.

I have so many goals but for now you can expect to see new classes starting up in person and online, hopefully some workshops in 2023 and a lot more performances.

You can contact Destiny on Instagram @Destiiny_x and catch her teaching Pole and Floorwork at GFF Damian Studio In Manchester.