Meet Demetria Adriane McNeil

Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetria Adriane McNeil.

Demetria, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Demetria Adriane McNeil, also known as “Meechy” or “Big Meech.” I was born and raised in the historic city of Charleston, SC. My dance journey began at the age of four years old. My mother gave me the choice to decide between ballet classes or gymnastics and I chose to take ballet. Ballet classes soon led to African classes, to hip hop and tap classes. At the age of eleven years old, I was introduced to a new home studio at the Y-dance at the YMCA in Charleston, SC. There I advanced and learned the fundamentals of Contemporary/Lyrical, advanced Hip Hop, African, Tap, of Ballet and Street Jazz. In the 6th grade, I joined the Charisma Dance Line for The Burke High School Marching Band and started my Majorette journey. I later transitioned to the Sweet Sensation Dance Line for Benedict College Marching Band of Distinction. I graduated class of 2018 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing.

From elementary school until now, I’ve always competed in many talent shows and beauty pageants. So many people from my hometown, and even state, seem to not prosper far when it comes to following their dreams. People in SC are not granted opportunities like larger cities have and this increases my fire behind being motivated to set an example to show proof that it is possible! On June 25th, 2016, I created my brand #slaythefloorwithmeechy. This is when I began to travel and instruct my own dance classes. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching ages four-year-olds and up. Teaching a variety of styles of dance such as contemporary and lyrical, hip hop, majorette and my all-time favorite street jazz and heel classes. I’ve been teaching women and men of all shapes and sizes, how to walk properly and how to dance in heels and also instructing pageantry lessons. I am an all-around individual who believes that my mission in life is to help heal the world one person at a time.

In September 2019, I became a certified Barbizon USA instructor. Barbizon USA is a Modeling and Acting program. This program trains students to be prepared for the entertainment industry as well as the business world. The students have an opportunity to also personally and professionally develop. Being an instructor has allowed me to overall become a better teacher. I am passionate about helping others build their confidence and developing through their gifts.

In January 2020, I created the Poor Rich Kidzz Foundation and the Poor Rich Kidzz Talent and Entertainment Agency. The mission for both of these businesses targets building stronger creative arts communities in the Carolinas. The PRK Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization designed to build future leaders by educating the youth throughout the communities on how to express themselves through their talents. The PRK Talent and Entertainment Agency is designed to bring more opportunities to the talented individuals in the Carolinas, but not limited to others around the world to be a part of as well.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Heck no! I think the journey to success is designed for it to be difficult. I definitely believe the known saying “Nothing worth having comes easy.” I’ve had countless struggles that made me who I am today and for that, I am grateful. One struggle would be the fact that I grew up in a single-parent home and my mom was not able to work due to her having Sickle Cell. Growing up not as fortunate as others was a burden in many ways, but most of all, financially. Other struggles that occurred along the way would be overcoming the hateful acts from others due to jealousy. It seemed as if the more I accomplished and inspired others, it was like a domino effect.

Alright – so let’s talk business.  What else should we know about you and your career so far?
#Slaythefloorwithmeechy is a brand to uplift dancers through dance classes taught by myself. This business provides dance classes, private sessions, artist performance development, pageantry classes, and performance booking services. A few things that I am known for would be teaching dance classes (specifically heels classes), helping others, motivating others, and keeping a pair of heels on. What I am most proud of as a company would be the lives that I’ve inspired within these four years of business. Being who I am automatically sets me apart from others. I believe my gift is to help others find their voice and gifts. I utilize this gift as a tool throughout my business(es) and I think that this is the major component to what sets me apart from others.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would not change anything. Every up and down or high and low, were all learning experiences. I believe everything that I have endured and the people that I have encountered are all apart of my story. I now know how to move better, how to react to situations, how to recognize signs, and how to overall grow as a better me that I can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thedamnetwork.net
• Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
• Instagram: @demetriaadriane @poorrichkidzz @slaythefloorwithmeechy
• Facebook: Demetria A McNeil
• Other: Tik Tok URL: @poorrichkidzz_

Image Credit:
Darain Ginyard @dtproductions
Jovon Roberts @jovisualstudios
Larell Mackey @infinitedesires_2.0
Brad Martin @blmartin661
Di’Nara McClary @kre8tiv3media

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