We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Annosha K. Biggins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Annosha K., so happy you were able to devote some time to sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our community. So, we’ve always admired how you have seemingly never let nay-sayers or haters keep you down. Can you talk to us about how to persist despite the negative energy that so often is thrown at folks trying to do something special with their lives?
I think Jill Scott said it best in “Hate On Me” when she sang, “Hate on me hater, now or later, cause I’m gonna do me…” When I sit with the music and lyrics, I can’t help but smile and marvel at her genius, because Jill has blessed me with the secret formula for dealing with this kind of energy. First- she recognizes and accepts the presence of the hater (this is key!) Then, she embraces the timing of it all in her life’s journey. And most importantly- she chooses to live boldly by taking up space that is divinely her to take up.
This song is my anthem for haters and nay-sayers. And trust- I’ve had plenty of both especially recently as I’ve grown in my professional career. I am an anomaly -an underdog- in the larger dance community. I began my professional career at 23 with my acceptance into a collegiate dance program and I took my first formal dance classes shortly after. I wasn’t trained in any dance techniques; I was a naturally gifted dancer with a strong background in social dance. But even as a young child I aspired to two goals in my dance career: 1.) to be Beyonce‘ and Ciara’s backup dancer, and 2.) to become a prima ballerina. Now at 25, I’ve taken leaps and bounds to achieve both -literally- and I embrace the ways that these goals manifest in my life. I’ve found favor within the dance community especially because of my unprecedented learning curve (there was so, so much learning.) Still, my journey has never been absent of adversity, namely haters and nay-sayers –even at this very moment as I share my journey with y’all! And it would be a delusion to think that I’ve never been upset by this energy; I’m still learning how to best deal with the experience when it circles back around to me. But, every day, I do my best to choose and BE me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am most known as a dancer; I like to break this label down into dance artist, student, educator, researcher, scholar and technician. I’m obtaining my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga., and will graduate soon. I’ve had the honor of being a student at The School at Jacob’s Pillow -The Dunham Legacy Revisited
Program, 2023, the first program held in Ms. Katherine Dunham’s honor since 2002. I’m also a 2022 recipient of The Eleo Pomare-Glen Connor Memorial Endowed scholarship within the KSU Department of Dance (the highest scholarship awarded to students) amongst many other honors. However, despite my success, I had no exposure to the larger professional dance world until 2020.
A little backstory
In 2020, I reached the peak of my self-disconnect. When quarantine was imposed and everything slowed, I was forced to face the hard truth that for years I had been out of alignment with myself. So, with my intention set on my alignment, I sought stillness, silence, and solitude. To date, this was THE best decision of my life. I meditated, I cried, I laughed sometimes; I felt all my feels. And I listened to my voids, I really listened.
It took time, but I eventually returned to me; I revisited my favorite childhood hobbies and even my most painful memories. I became determined to love all parts of myself. I chose to embrace my journey as the anomaly that I am, and since then have continued to choose to live my truth. A part of this truth –I lead with my character, humanity, and artistry first. This is the core of my success because I allow my career to be informed by my personal convictions and experiences. It’s also true that I represent a community of neuro-divergent artists. And, if being an artist isn’t challenging enough on its own, my neurological differences have tipped the scale at times. But I’m embracing my purpose as an ambassador and advocate for the anomalies and the underdogs. That looks like serving as the student representative for the KSU Dance DEI committee and encouraging “late” dancers to pursue their professional careers whole-heartedly. I’m honoring my unique experience and helping others honor their experiences, too.
What excites me most about my dance career is the responsibility and privilege of helping other developing artists discover themselves through higher education, collaboration and interpersonal research. I don’t take it lightly that I am entrusted with helping dancers connect the dots between dance (the micro) and this human experience we call Life (the macro). Because much of my brand is about dance education, I strive to educate holistically and to be an example of a practicing artist. I hope my admirers and students take this from their experiences of me. I’m also excited to develop as many skills as possible, ranging from performance to production, administration, etc. Over time, I hope to become the Jaz(myn)-of-all-trades!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am exceptionally driven and determined. I may take some time to articulate and execute a goal for myself, but once I commit [to a goal] I will not rest until I make it happen! I’m
also very introspective (you might say that introspection is my hobby!) I’m a natural optimist and idealist -I’m constantly seeking ways to better understand and develop myself. My closest friends and family describe me as highly self-accountable, even to a fault. What can I say? I truly believe that everything -and especially my actions and reactions- all comes back to me. Also, I’m very down-to-earth, very wholesome. I approach life with the best intentions and with great honesty. And I know that this part of me has afforded me favor beyond any gift or talent.
One practice that allows me to continue developing these qualities has been building my community of kindred peoples. Healthy community is key- it is a resource that will help keep you grounded during Life’s most tumultuous experiences especially. Even more, it’s true that we are the company that we keep, so be VERY intentional about surrounding yourself with the well-spirited and those who exude the qualities that you seek to develop within yourself.
I have to take this moment to thank my community: my parents, siblings, and grandmothers, my aunt Mitzi and cousin Khari, my aunt Lil Bit, my aunt Latrell and uncle Jackie, my best friends Sky and Dante, my second family (The Tyson’s), my close friends, my partner, my KSU faculty and instructors, The School at Jacob’s Pillow and my cohort, The Black Artists Dance Collective (TBADC) family, The IIIrd Collective, Dance Canvas, and my mentors Shonica Gooden, Jamal White, Tamara Irving and Billy J. Hawkains III.
It’s also important to regularly reflect on your growth, and to recognize the qualities that are the through-line of both your personal and professional success. If you’re unsure what these [qualities] are, look at your community because certainly those admirable qualities you see in others are also within you. Believe in yourself.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that has changed my life has been Lysa Terkeurst’s “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointment Leaves You Shattered”. I was gifted this book during the beginning stages of my self-search. At that time, I was mourning the death of an idealized life that I envisioned for myself. I was not just disappointed in my life’s reality; I was devastated like never before. This book enlightened me to acceptance as a tool and grounding practice for life. I learned the beauty of embracing life’s currents. And rather than living in the “shoulds” of life, I learned to love and accept what was so that I could then create all I wanted for myself.
I have to recognize Michelle Obama’s “Becoming”, too.
“Becoming” holds a special place in my heart because it’s a gift to myself and the first book I purchased as an adult some years ago. I see myself in her (Michelle Obama) in many ways; we are both ambitious, intellectuals, and value family, culture and the arts.
Likewise, we have both struggled with imposter syndrome (whew!) Neither of us are strangers to adversity, even from within our own communities. But, like Jill’s “Hate on Me”, “Becoming” has been a blueprint for embracing adversity.
The greatest nugget of wisdom I’ve received from “Becoming” is to remember and own where I come from. I admit that I haven’t finished the book yet; I’m taking my time to reflect on the connections I’ve made thus far.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: _annoshakbiggins
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCklc-wwraiXsFpTnojOJ5Sg
- Website: Annoshabiggins.com premiering soon.
Image Credits
(Red and black attire): Lauren Liz Photography, KSU Dance (Diagram): Annosha K. Biggins, KSU School of Art and Design (All others): KSU School of Art and Design
