MEET OUR
STAFF
STAFF
KENDRA BARNES : EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
For more than two decades, Kendra Kimbrough Barnes has built a legacy that champions brave and innovative voices in dance, choreography and performance, and reflects the diverse bodies, backgrounds and narratives of the people in her hometown of
Oakland, CA.
As a young girl, Barnes took a wide-range of dance classes in after-school and neighborhood programs, and quickly understood that her life would be centered around the performing arts. She understood early, the critical role that dance played in nurturing a sense of belongingness, in cultivating one’s relationship between the body and spirit, and in aiding the process of navigating the world around us. Armed with these insights - and her natural propensity toward leadership, mentorship and influence – it was inevitable that she would become the founder of a brand that is synonymous with dance, community and accessibility.
In 1996, Barnes founded K-Star Productions, the Oakland-based presenting organization for the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE) and the annual Bay Area community pillar, The Black Choreographers Festival (BCF). While the dance company’s repertoire addresses urgent, socially-conscious issues such as incarceration and sexual assault, the festival is a platform for emerging artists to be mentored, hone their artistic voice and take creative risks, in front of a wide-ranging audience that happens to feel like family.
It has been beyond Kendra’s expectations that so many artists who started with KKDE and BCF have expanded to produce their own work, found their own companies, perform and present on stages across the country to include on Broadway in NYC, and become international artists. But it is through this work that Barnes is not only fulfilled, but that she fulfills her commitment to the legacy she envisioned more than twenty years ago.
She is eternally grateful to the artists and audiences that have grown with her, and the funders who continue to support her undying commitment to the arts and Oakland artists in particular. And she is excited about the ever-evolving newcomers-turned-supporters, because it is a testament to the relevance, urgency, and viability of K-Star Productions, and the staying power of Kendra’s work.
Oakland, CA.
As a young girl, Barnes took a wide-range of dance classes in after-school and neighborhood programs, and quickly understood that her life would be centered around the performing arts. She understood early, the critical role that dance played in nurturing a sense of belongingness, in cultivating one’s relationship between the body and spirit, and in aiding the process of navigating the world around us. Armed with these insights - and her natural propensity toward leadership, mentorship and influence – it was inevitable that she would become the founder of a brand that is synonymous with dance, community and accessibility.
In 1996, Barnes founded K-Star Productions, the Oakland-based presenting organization for the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE) and the annual Bay Area community pillar, The Black Choreographers Festival (BCF). While the dance company’s repertoire addresses urgent, socially-conscious issues such as incarceration and sexual assault, the festival is a platform for emerging artists to be mentored, hone their artistic voice and take creative risks, in front of a wide-ranging audience that happens to feel like family.
It has been beyond Kendra’s expectations that so many artists who started with KKDE and BCF have expanded to produce their own work, found their own companies, perform and present on stages across the country to include on Broadway in NYC, and become international artists. But it is through this work that Barnes is not only fulfilled, but that she fulfills her commitment to the legacy she envisioned more than twenty years ago.
She is eternally grateful to the artists and audiences that have grown with her, and the funders who continue to support her undying commitment to the arts and Oakland artists in particular. And she is excited about the ever-evolving newcomers-turned-supporters, because it is a testament to the relevance, urgency, and viability of K-Star Productions, and the staying power of Kendra’s work.
YENI LUCERO : STUDIO PROGRAMMING &
KKDE ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Born in Chalchuapa, El Salvador and began her training in West African dance at the age of 15 with Mama Naomi Washington and Papa Zak Diouf . She graduated with a BA in Dance and Choreography from San Francisco State University, studying Haitian Dance, Dunham, Limon, Ballet, Congolese, Jazz, and received further training at the Ailey School. Lucero has performed with Ron K. Brown/Evidence, Robert Moses' Kin, Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble, Diamanou Coura, Paco Gomes, Alayo Dance Company, & Delina Patrice. She has also appeared in multiple music videos and most recently with Kev Choice and the San Francisco Symphony. Lucero has taught at many schools and organizations in the Bay Area and internationally, including Sonoma State University, Pixar Animation Studios, Lines Dance Center, Adobe, Bottle Rock Festival, Elmhurst Community Prep Middle School, San Francisco Salsa Rueda Festival, The National Dance Company of Mozambique and Cuba. Ms. Lucero is a Teaching Artist Specialist for the Alameda County Office Of Education, and a proud full time Oakland dance educator/Specialist Chair and founder of Cox Academy Dance program. Most recently she joined KKDE as Associate Artistic Director, she is very blessed to have joined such powerful purposeful Dance Company, looking forward to what the future brings.
CHI CHI OKONMAH : STUDIO MANAGER
Student, teacher & choreographer for over 20 years, Chi Chi O. is a lover of dance & music of all forms…with a particular passion for rhythm tap! Her “hoofer” style (greatly influenced by the late tap master, Gregory Hines) emphasizes the importance of rhythmic precision, technique & personal style. Chi Chi is a seasoned, avid “hoofer” dedicated to learning, teaching, promoting and supporting rhythm tap. Since 2001, Chi Chi has studied and learned this unique Afrikan American artform from the likes of John Kloss, Sam Weber, Channing Cook-Holmes, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Jason Samuels-Smith, Mark Mendonca, Tre Dumas, Jason Rodgers, Robert Reed, Dianne Walker, Jeannie Hill, Arthur Duncan and Heather Cornell. Chi Chi credits these masterful artists and gracious teachers for everything she knows about tap. Since 2006, Chi Chi has danced ensemble performances in several community productions, as well as, performed professionally as a proud member of “On Tap Dance Theater” in various events throughout the SF Bay Area. Chi Chi is proud to announce the relaunch of her own Rhythm Tap Dance Ensemble, “Off the Hoof”, (in early 2022) bringing their uniquely fierce blend of rhythm and dance to the Bay Area and beyond!
KAYLIN REID : SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING
Born and raised in Oakland, Kaylin has always been passionate about the arts and entertainment industry. That in combination with her eye for style, brought her to design and marketing. Beyond art and fashion, Kaylin enjoys traveling, which helps her bring perspective to the art she creates.
