Nikka Maynard

Nikka Maynard, raised by parents that were born in Trinidad and Tobago, grew up in the cultural and diverse city of Berkeley, CA. In the late 1980s she formed her own hip hop group called red n' black licorice. At the age of seven her parents groomed her to be an entertainer. The hip hop group would open up for her parents Reggae and Calypso band "Caribbean Allstars". She would enter in talent showcases all over the Bay area with her troop winning first or second place. By the age of 15 she entered Berkeley High School and took her first Afro-Hatian dance class with Mama Naomi Diouf. By the time Nikka graduated from Berkeley High in 1993 she joined Diamano Coura as a company member and now serves as the Assistant Artistic Director under the apprenticeship of Artistic Director Naomi Diouf. Through dance she has been able to travel internationally and learn from some the best African master dance teachers in the United States. She has also been able to share her love for West African culture within her church community and was encouraged to begin a Liturgical Praise Ministry. Studying and practicing West African music and dance has helped Nikka establish morals and traditional values that she has and will continue to pass down to her daughter who is now 10 years old and loves to dance and choreograph. "Neek Neek", as many call her, has been able to take what she has learned from both her Caribbean roots combined with Zak and Mama Naomi's African roots to develop her own artistic presence.