Meet Angel Kaba

We were lucky to catch up with Angel Kaba recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Angel, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a blend of experiences that shaped me and from a drive to uplift those who may feel they don’t have a voice. I was born in Brussels, Belgium and raised in France by my role model – the epitome of fortitude – my mother. Her strength taught me what resilience looks like, and I carry that with me everywhere. Growing up, things were often hard, and I learned early on that I couldn’t let myself fall into a victim mindset. I told myself, ‘I am a winner, always.’ Winning, to me, isn’t about beating others but about constantly pushing myself to be the best version of who I am and not allowing past hardships to define where I’m going.
Over the years, I’ve built resilience by getting comfortable with failure. If I fall short, I don’t let it stop me—I simply try again, knowing there’s always a lesson in each attempt. This mindset has freed me from needing to be perfect, and it’s taught me that taking risks is essential. And when people doubt or criticize me, I don’t let it get in the way. Not everyone will be on my side, and I’ve made peace with that. Haters and naysayers are part of the journey, keeping me grounded and challenging me to reflect and grow. Often, negativity is just a projection of others’ insecurities, so I don’t let it influence my path because the impact of my work is much bigger than myself. I don’t just work for myself—I work for others, for everyone who has faced similar struggles with racism, sexism, colorism, financial hardship, mental health, and beyond. I use dance and other creative outlets to connect with people, helping them see their own potential. This work isn’t just a passion; it’s rooted in a deep love for people and for dance itself.
Being a Black African/Caribbean woman in the dance industry, I’m often the only one in the room who looks like me. It can feel isolating, but it’s also a source of strength. I’ve become more self-aware and comfortable in my own skin, and this comfort allows me to connect with people genuinely. I’ve learned to see my uniqueness as a strength that can draw people in and inspire them to embrace their own individuality. I take every opportunity to learn from those around me and to use my presence to create genuine, lasting connections.
I also believe that imperfection is beautiful. I see insecurities as motivators—they push me to work harder, dig deeper, and stay grounded. As people of color, we’re often conditioned to doubt ourselves, but I use that doubt as fuel. Instead of letting insecurities stop me, I turn them into the extra drive to stay prepared, take risks, and ultimately lift others up along the way.”

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?

Dance is in my blood—I breathe, dream, and live it every day. My mother was also a dancer, a folk dancer from Martinique who moved to Europe to follow her dream, and here I am continuing her legacy. Fifteen years ago, I moved to NYC to chase my own dream of being an Internationally Acclaimed and Awarded Choreographer & Artistic Director, and I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the best dance organizations, like Alvin Ailey, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Dance Center. I travel the world and across the U.S. to share African dance, culture, and hip-hop.

People know me as someone who brings authenticity and cultural knowledge. I’m honest and direct; sometimes it’s uncomfortable, but it’s needed to honor the culture I represent. I think as a creative with a business mindset, not just as a dancer, and that’s given me a unique place in the industry.

I founded Afro’Dance New York as a platform to celebrate dance, culture, and Black excellence. It’s for the community—to promote, create, and support events that connect the multitude of Black voices globally. My students and peers have been able to share their creative ventures, professional services, and even collaborate on teaching classes with me through ADNY. I’m Congolese and Martiniquean while also being a French citizen teaching dance in New York City, but my students come from every continent – bringing so many vibrant personalities, languages, and stories into a class. It means so much to me that I can carve space for people of every race, culture, identity, and background to learn about my culture while honoring the techinque, history, and essence of Afro’Dance styles. .

Next month, I’ll be directing and choreographing for an off-Broadway show, BREAKIN’NYC at 555Theater with Eric Krebs Production company. It is a project I’m truly blessed and honored to lead. This show is a celebration of hip-hop and street dance, and I hope it becomes a voice for these artists and the audience that have never imagined Hip-Hop’s evolution being shown on stage when Hip-Hop was initially shunned and disrespected as an artform. Join us at our debut this December!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Being a Lifelong Learner: I never stop being a student. I watch anything about dance and culture—documentaries, TV shows, whatever I can learn from. Having knowledge makes me unstoppable because it builds my confidence and motivation. I tell young artists: learn everything about your craft, because when you have that knowledge, no one can question your purpose. Talent comes after that.

Consistency: I’m consistent with learning, training, and showing up. I don’t give up, and I’m always there. Some people think they’ll get ahead of me if they don’t hear from me, but I always show up when it counts.

Love for People: I have love for my people and for what I do. In a world that pushes us to perform without love or resources, compassion and empathy make all the difference. I see it with my daughter, who grows strong every day because she’s filled with love. Love is part of my brand and part of who I am.”

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

This past year, I’ve truly been show the profound impact of community and collaboration. I’ve always valued working with others that share my mission to connect the diaspora through dance and uplift the presence of Afro’Dance worldwide. I’d love to do more music collaborations and speaking engagements. I think I have a lot to say. So for anyone who’s interested about my story, about my business mindset, – I would love to share. I’ve worked in entertainment for 25+ years and it’s a very competitive industry – for college students, upcoming artists, and people just starting, sometimes you dont know where to start. I can provide a lot of insight into the business aspect of being an artist or entertainer.

I’ve taken on many new endeavors this year and change can be uncomforatble, but embracing it has been a key to growth. Sometimes change can feel exhausting, challenging, and daunting but my village has helped expand my perspective and open my eyes to the impact and reach my work really has. My community, Afro’Dance New York, has not only made me more innovative and ambitious, but it’s also underscored that I can bring my whole self—my beliefs, my culture, my spirituality—into my work without compromise to inspire and connect with others. I don’t have to be someone that I’m not to create community. I can bring all of myself and still be competitive and productive in the industry. When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned to lean on my spirituality—prayer, meditation, and even physical outlets like the dance and gym help me maintain balance, patience, and focus on what really matters.

I’ve always set a high standard for myself, working hard and pushing forward without pause. But this year, I’ve started to see the value in working smarter instead of just harder. I’m learning to be patient with both myself and others, taking the time to listen and observe before I react. This shift has been empowering because now, rather than feeling like I have to fight for every opportunity, I’m finding that staying grounded and centered naturally brings the right opportunities my way.

Finally, I’ve worked on letting go of high expectations for others. In the past, I held high standards not only for myself but also for those around me. Now, I’ve shifted to focusing on giving without expecting anything in return. Letting go of these expectations has freed me from disappointment and allowed me to experience more joy in what I do, both for myself and for those around me.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Personal Photo: Olivier Kay – Okay Motion

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