Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayanna “miiyaya Adero” Washington
Hi Ayanna “Miiyaya Adero”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ayanna “Miiyaya” Thompson-Adero was born in Saint Louis, MO but raised in a village. She believes that it takes a village to raise a child. She is a creative designer, dancer, choreographer, visual artist and mentor. With her first love being dance her, at the age of 3 she danced professionally with a company call Fundisha Enterprises (African Dance) with Mama Lisa Gage. Later she found the love for Hip Hop dance and joining a dance group called Matiff Dance and Entertainment company. Which Ayanna became the youngest choreographer in the group.
2010, Ayanna now known as Miiyaya attended Tennessee State University. During her time in Nashville, TN she created a dance group called 3D “Divine Diverse Dance”. While still dancing she started to develop a passion for mentoring. Once Ayanna moved back to St. Louis she began working at Wohl Community Center where she started a girls mentoring program called “G.E.M Girl’s Empowerment and Mentoring Program While running G.E.M she began to coach dance and cheerleading.
In 2016 she started working on her brand “Invision Your Empire”. After many inquiries from her family and friends to customize their clothing. She began her Clothing line I.Y.E Wear. A Clothing line that focused on hand painted clothing. Ayanna was introduced to art by her mother Carol “MwazaCarol” at a very young age. She began to start her canvas work being inspired by her mother and close family friend Dayo Johnson. Both artists that have given humans strength, love and Joy through their Art. That motivates her to want to continue their legacy beyond. As she developed her love for art she realized that Black Culture inspires her to be more persistent and intuitive. As she continues to reach for bigger canvas Ayanna “ “Miiyaya” has step in to the world of mural Art. While still dancing Ayanna”s Brand Invision Your Empire is a brand created to build a platform that brings insight to black people of all ages, empower others to follow their dreams, and give other artists the opportunity to expand rather than suppress their abilities
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a young woman Ayanna found out that she had fibroid tumors and pos. Over time it caused obstacles and challenges for her. Where her ability to do what she loved to do was difficult. It became hard to dance. So she stepped in to a role of just coaching and mentoring. Ayanna then began to paint more.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a dancer, choreographer, visual /mural artist, creative designer, coach and mentor. Currently, I am most known for my mural artwork. I have done artwork throughout the city of St. Louis. My favorite piece that I have done thus far is my piece that I did at Paint Louis in 2023. Kris Blackmon curated a group of artist to do this piece called “We be Queens” and I had the honor of painting Sexyy Red. I was able to really get out of my comfort zone and I enjoyed every moment of it.
I am most proud piece my recent piece that I did with my mother MwazaCarol for the St. Louis, Mural Project with RACSTL & ARPA for the Arts. (This located in the 10th on Vernon the community garden “Bustani Ya Upenda.”)
What sets me apart from others I do it for the love of my community, and my village. I want to see my city more beautiful then it already is and I want to help do the work with what skills I have been blessed with and inspire others to use there skills to uplift our community and our youth too.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Dancing, Painting and Family.
My family is strong in creativity and culture. So being with my family. Building my own family. I am in my newlywed era! Recently married the love of my life Keyonna Washington. I’m a bonus mom I have a son who is full of life and being able to leave a legacy for him to pass on. Brings me happiness. Just being able to stand up and make a difference or show him and the youth I work with how you can just be you and make a difference in the world. Being in my elements, painting, dancing, mentoring, making memories with family and community. Also traveling and getting inspired by artworks, and other artist. Is truly what makes me most happiest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://invision-your-empire.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: @iyewear @miiyayatheartist
- Facebook: Invision Your Empire
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/czlKZ-8FSMY
- Other: https://youtu.be/FMKcVqEtW48?si=6Ks1oqQwvBXio88W
