January 26, 2023
LYT House Youth Spotlight
Zola Kimani Knight was born on January 26, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois, to Karrington Lewis and Steven Knight.
Shortly after her birth, she relocated to Dallas, TX, with her mom and then later moved to Mississippi.
Being raised in Mississippi allowed Zola to live near both sides of her family, whom she visits and spends time with often.
Zola’s Creative Entrepreneur Journey
Zola Kimani Knight, The Creative Entrepreneur
At an early age, Zola became involved in sports, beginning with soccer and dance.
Soccer was short-lived, but she found a love for dancing and remained with Beverly’s School of Dance for two years.
Later she expanded to gymnastics. As she transitioned into her elementary years and began being exposed to different dancing styles, Zola decided she wanted to do ballet no longer but instead partake in hip hop.
At the age of six, she decided she would want to participate in two classes for the Judah School of Performing Arts.
Within her first year, Zola was selected to perform on the USS Intrepid in New York, New York.
Accomplishments:
Zola was selected to dance with the Judah School of Performing Arts in New York, NY May 2023.
Community Service:
2022 Project I Am Virtual Packing Party Host
Activities
- Soccer Shots of Flowood
- Beverly’s School of Dance (2 years)
- Courthouse Gymnastics (1 year)
- Judah School of Performing Arts (1 year)
- Rankin County Upward Basketball League
Zola is Big Apple Bound🍎
Judah School of Performing Arts has been blessed to perform on the USS Intrepid during Memorial Weekend, and ZOLA IS INVITED.
The USS Intrepid is one of the first aircrafts used for fighting during World War II. It has survived five kamikaze attacks and one torpedo strike.
The ship later served in the Cold War and Vietnam War as a NASA recovery vessel in the 1960s.
Zola’s travel dates will be May 25-30, 2023 (6 days/5 nights).
The cost of the trip is $2,000 and will include the following:
● Airfare
● Hotel transportation
● Travel insurance
● Dinner Cruise
● Grand Central Station Subway Ticket
● Guided Harlem & Brooklyn Tour
● Alvin Ailey Dance Class & merch gift card
● Broadway Dance Center class & merch gift card
● Broadway Show
● Central Park Zoo admission
● 5 nights hotel accommodations
● Daily Breakfast
● 2 lunches provided
● 1 sit-down dinner including drink
● Ensemble Performance Day costume, not including shoes
● 4-day Judah T-shirts
● Performance Technique & Choreography classes (separate mandatory class at the studio January-May)
Zola collects moments, not things.
Aside from dancing, Zola also enjoys drawing, singing, playing basketball, doing hair, watching TikTok and YouTube videos, and spending time with her friends.
Zola also enjoys helping others. Her first major project was the “Project I Am Virtual Packing Party 2022” for Giving Tuesday, where she assisted with packing “Blessing Bags” for the homeless.
2022 Pose Selfie World
Fun Fact: Zola records herself singing to the instrumentals she creates.
2022 Brandon, MS Library
Fun Fact: Zola hosted the 2022 Project I Am Virtual Packing Party.
2021 Little Chef’s Night @ Shaggys on the Rez.
Fun Fact: Zola enjoys cooking. She made her own pizza and decorated cookies.
2021 Museum of Natural Science -Mississippi, USA.
Fun Fact: Zola loved the tornado and snake exhibits.
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