Meet Namiko Allicock

We recently connected with Namiko Allicock and have shared our conversation below.

Namiko, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My mother. My mom being an immigrant from Jamaica is the literal definition of hardworking. Growing up, she worked three jobs (three different nursing homes and private practice) and had side hustles doing hair. She worked so much that I only seen her in the morning when she would take me to school and on Sundays, her one day off.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

To many, I am just O. The kicker is I have multiple personas. My students call me Namiko. The music industry knows me as Wav.ATL or Dj Wavey. As a model, I am known to my peers as Umi.
The name “Wav.atl” speaks to both the “wave” of musical energy that I play and the vibrant pulse of Atlanta—one of the most influential cities in music and culture today. Wav.atl represents the intersection of sound, style, and social. While Wav.atl taps into the nightlife and music scene, the CMPZR streetwear brand that I created stands as a statement in the fashion world. Rooted in the concept of “compromise”—the brand’s name a stylized abbreviation for the word—CMPZR challenges the traditional idea of fitting into a box. Rather than succumbing to the pressures of mainstream fashion, CMPZR stands as a bold declaration of individuality, embracing diversity, culture, and unapologetic expression. In music, you have to be innovative and authentic to connect with your audience. The same goes for fashion. People can tell when you’re being real. That’s why I pour everything I have into both of these brands. This also keeps me light footed to connect with my students at Utopian Academy for the Arts.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that are most impactful on my journey are Adaptability, Creativity, and Resilience. Each of these traits has played a crucial role in helping me navigate the diverse paths I’ve taken—as an educator, a DJ, and a fashion creator. They have allowed me to thrive in environments that require constant change, innovative thinking, and the strength to persevere despite challenges.

Adaptability has been key in balancing my multiple careers. As an educator, I must be able to adjust my approach to meet the varying needs of my students, knowing that no two days will be the same. Whether I’m engaging with a classroom full of young minds or preparing for an unexpected shift in a lesson plan, I’ve learned to be flexible. Similarly, as a DJ, I have to adapt to the energy of the crowd, blending different musical genres and changing my set in real time based on the vibe of the event. As a model and fashion creator, adaptability allows me to transition from a professional setting to creative projects, always staying fluid in a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry. This flexibility has helped me succeed across such different worlds by allowing me to flow with change, not resist it.

Creativity is at the heart of everything I do. In education, it’s about finding new ways to inspire my students and make learning engaging and fun. I believe that every lesson should be an opportunity for creativity—whether I’m designing a project or simply finding a way to connect with a student. As a DJ, creativity is essential in crafting unique experiences that are personal, energetic, and unforgettable. I love blending genres and sounds that push the boundaries of traditional music. In fashion, creativity allows me to conceptualize new designs for my clothing line CMPZR, where I challenge norms and infuse street culture into the designs. Creativity is my constant companion, helping me not just survive, but excel in each field I enter.

And of course, Resilience is what has helped me overcome the inevitable obstacles that come with juggling multiple careers. Whether it’s facing setbacks in the fashion industry or the pressures of teaching, resilience is the quality that has kept me going. There have been plenty of times when things didn’t go according to plan, but I’ve learned that resilience is about more than bouncing back; it’s about using challenges as fuel to grow stronger. In my experience, every setback has been an opportunity to learn something new about myself and the world around me. It’s a reminder that success isn’t linear—it’s about persistence and the courage to keep going, even when the road gets tough.

Together, these qualities have shaped my journey and continue to guide me. They’ve allowed me to adapt to different roles, think outside the box, and remain grounded when facing adversity. Each of them is essential to my growth and success, and they continue to push me to evolve and reach new heights in my career and personal life.

Advice I would give: if it isn’t good right now, then you haven’t gotten to the end. Everything is good at the end, so keep working towards it.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I give myself grace. I allow myself to rest. I allow myself to feel. I feel like upkeep in self is going to always keep your momentum in any industry and a lot of people neglect themselves to work harder and it affects quality.