Meet Trailblazer Latasha Bryant (Tasha B)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Latasha Bryant (Tasha B).

Latasha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hello! Well, let’s see hmmm, how I got started. Currently, I am a professional background dancer signed with X-cel Talent Agency, based in Atlanta, GA. Before breaking into the industry, I loved watching Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Usher, Britney Spears… so that’s where a lot of my inspiration came from! I would literally stand in front of the t.v. for hours, watching music videos and learning every step to the music of my favorites. I used to have dreams of me making up choreography and then piecing everything together for a stage, from the lights to the formations and transitions. I would then wake up in the morning excited and anxious to try and do the exact routine I dreamed about with whatever props lol! I would also be in the bathroom with a brush (as my microphone), pretending to be the artist and dancing my life away, lol! Despite all of that, I was never put into dance classes at a young age, my dance world was entertaining family and friends at the reunions, birthday parties, and dancing with my siblings whenever my mom left the house just so we could blast the music.

I auditioned for a talent show one time, but I found out about the audition the night before so two of my friends and I made up a routine that night and went to the auditions the next day. Boy, did we have it in for us!! Only about two eight counts in, we forgot the choreography and started looking at each other but neither one of us remembered it. We had a blackout, and when they stopped the music, we asked could we start over and they said no!!! I was soooo devastated, lol! I really was like dang, y’all really not going to let us do it again?? It was more motivation than anything because when the next year came around, I started rehearsing like a month ahead of time. I went to the audition and nailed it, and made the cut for the talent show. I was so happy, and it was a huge accomplishment for me. Later on at one point, some friends and I formed a dance group called DLUS! I believe it stood for Dance Like Us, lol, or something like that. So, we would meet and dance, and we did a competition show and it was good because we gave ourselves something to do outside of school without our parents really having to pay for us to take classes.

From there, I joined an organization in college, at NC A&T SU, called Couture Productions. They had different sectors like the modeling sector, word (poetry, singing), and dance. Of course, I joined dance, and that was when I learned about the hard work and dedication it would take to be a dancer… whereas when I was younger it was all about the rawness and just having fun. Now, I still have fun now, I just added on to what was already there and learned so much more. Discipline was a major thing drilled in us, we got constructive criticism, and we had to fight for our spots in order to perform it at competitions and shows. I danced on the organization for about three years and eventually became one of the Coordinators and Choreographer for the dance sector until my grades started slipping. I was in the Nursing program at the time, and the hours for dance were late, so I would be tired. Unfortunately, I had to hand over that responsibility to another person in order to give my time to nursing. I knew then that I truly loved dance because I would really try to concentrate in class, but I would get so lost because I was daydreaming and thinking about choreography and making up routines in my head… then, the teacher would call on me, and I would be like “huh???” lol! I definitely wasn’t reading along.

One day, in 2011, a friend of mine called me and asked if I was going to Atlanta to audition for Laurieann Gibson’s dance reality show called “Born to Dance” that was to be on BET! I had no clue about it, but she told me she was driving there and asked me if I wanted to come and plus she didn’t want to drive all by herself. I was like sure! Not really thinking too much into it. So, we went, we auditioned with it being over 500 girls who auditioned… I couldn’t believe it, I had made the top 60!!! They then went to LA and NY to audition there as well, and I can only imagine how many girls came out to those cities. So, out of the three cities, I believe they cut it down a little more too and I was still in the running. We had another audition, this time on a stage. I was like omg, ok so now we take it up a notch lol. I was sooo nervous, mind you, it was in heels! In college, I only did one performance in heels. I was the tomboy, I wanted to learn all the hip hop dances that the guys did lol! But now, I know God was only preparing me when the coordinators of the dance sector MADE me audition for the girls routine, I did not want to do it at all.

So, we auditioned, and all in God’s favor, I had made the TOP 20 finalists! I couldn’t believe it! So, I was chosen to be on the reality t.v. show! It was a tough competition, we had challenges every week, and the 3rd or 4th episode I got cut. Their advice to me was to get class training and move to NY, LA or ATL to do so. I thought long and hard for all of one month… and then, I left school. Yelp, I left school with my 3rd year in the nursing program and moved to ATL in May 2011! I was taking everything as a sign from God, and I wanted to keep the momentum going and take the opportunity to pursue dance right away. The nursing department wouldn’t let me do make-up work so they failed me for that semester (however, I still left with a 3.7 GPA, I kept my head in the books, lol), then I had friends in ATL who used to be on the same organization as me in college and they said I could come live with them and stay in the living room so I did. I may have made some people mad, upset and disappointed but something within me said it was the right thing to do and it made me happy and excited just thinking about it. My mom was scared for me lol, she didn’t want me so far with no family. I’m kind of a rebel, although I was over 18, so I was like I’m leaving… love you though! I just knew I had something special given by God to have made it out of probably close to like 3000 girls with no training at a young age, and for it to be my first major audition, that was a sign and I was taking a risk to live my dream.

Moving to Atlanta was the best decision I’ve ever made! I started training in classes, did my first photoshoot, put out concept videos of me dancing… all with the help of my friends! I got signed to an agency like a month later by luck, but because it was already written. I attended plenty of auditions and got plenty of NOs! Lol! But I continued to work hard and just kept training and branding myself. I then found my niche in teaching, and would you believe it, it was heels! Who would have thought the tomboy would grow into a young lady who would want to teach other women how to dance sexy in heels, lol! I would practice on my own for hours, and eventually started teaching at a studio called Gotta Dance Atlanta, and now, I’m currently teaching at Anthony Burrell’s Center for Dance Studio. I’ve have been blessed to have danced with artists such as Beyonce, Ciara, August Alsina and to have been on tv shows like Empire, STAR, and Ellen! The name of my class is called Heel Talk! I chose this name because I knew that I could use it for multiple things and branch it out into other lanes. I wanted a to be able to build a brand, so I made sure to not pick a name that would close my brand off to other opportunities and so that it wouldn’t be put in a box only for dance. Heel Talk is a brand that offers services such as private dance lessons, artist development, parties, masterclasses and more. But I also host my own women empowerment events, giving women in the community a space to network, vendor, inspire, and speak on how they became a boss/entrepreneur in hopes to encourage other women to take that leap as well. I like to have different things going on that cater to women from all walks of life.

Recently, I launched my very own Heel Talk Trench coats! I love trench coats, so I knew that I wanted to have my own line of them! I’m super happy and proud to have accomplished that and bringing my vision to reality for my very own brand! A lot of times, we don’t realize how much we do for someone else’s dream to come true and all the time we invest to bring all their visions to life, so when you get to a point and you can say that’s my dream LIVE and in action… it’s a great feeling, like a spiritual connection of being present in life and knowing that God planted those seeds for you. What’s new??!?! Now, I’m working on some other things like writing, and I’m going to keep adding on to my line along with hosting more events and classes.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road to get where I am today has gone in every direction you could possibly think of lol! We didn’t have a lot growing up, so we had to make the most of what we had. When I moved to Atlanta… I slept on couches, floors, my account has been overdrawn more times than I can count, lol! I remember scrapping up 99 cents just to go get a pack of noodles so that it would hold me over until the next day. With dance too, it’s not consistent starting off and sometimes even after you get your foot in the door, so you have to be mentally and spiritually connected and strong, but also too, if you have to get a side job then, do it to support your dream (easier said, than done, I kept one job out here for two months and knew it wasn’t for me). I didn’t book Beyonce my first time, but the next chance I got, I flew to NY to audition on a one-way flight (from SkyMiles), with $125 dollars in my bank account, like three days before rent was due, and one hour of sleep. I didn’t care, because I wanted it that bad. I trusted God! I auditioned and booked the job thank God, flew out the next day, but also woke up to having a deposit in my bank account from my tax refund… so I paid rent and didn’t need that flight back because I was going to live my dream! Man!!! I’ve hit so many bumps and potholes lol I’m just glad that WE are not breakable! Could you imagine, lol! No, but it’s been a journey, and I”m still running this marathon to live out my dreams and do so we purpose and clarity.

For dance, the advice I would give to other dancers starting out on their journey would be to remember that you were given your talent for a reason. If God didn’t think you could do it, then you would be doing something else, you wouldn’t have the need to live out that dream… but you do! You can’t go a day without thinking about it! So, know that you are a STAR, and the world is waiting for YOU to show up. Know that you have gifts that only you are qualified to share with the world, meaning that you have something that nobody else has. There is only one you! Keep good energy around you, work hard, and hold on to your faith.

As far as being an entrepreneur, I’m still so new to it so I would love some advice! I’m trying to find it every day, one day, I’m like this is it and it’s about to take off the next day, I’m like WHAT AM I DOING?!?! Lmbo! But I love it! For me, I’m realizing how important marketing is, especially with social media nowadays. I’m seeing how much hard work it is, and how you have to go with your vision and not be afraid of it. It may seem different, weird, or not “popular” but that’s exactly what’s going to make what is great. It’s long hours, it’s a bigger picture and purpose outside of yourself, it’s budgeting and saving, it’s investing, it’s no sleep, lol, it’s teamwork… man, we definitely can’t do it alone!!! We can’t be afraid to ask for help. However, we also have to be selective over who we allow being a part of our team. Everyone won’t be in it for the right reasons or be as committed over time. And we just have to trust the process, and know that every baby step is getting us closer to success!

We’d love to hear more about Heel Talk.
Awww, I kind of spilled the beans on that one already, lol! And I looked at the website, so I kind of knew the questions, but that was the other day so I forgot! It’s ok, lol!

So, I’m a professional background dancer, and I teach dance classes and workshops. I also do private dance lessons, artist development, choreography, hosting, birthday and bachelorette parties. I host women empowerment events to inspire other women and remind them that they can do anything they want to do while also supporting the next Queen beside her. I specialize in heels and hip hop, but I’m well known for heels! I love to dance in heels, it makes me feel so powerful and strong! My heel classes are fun and challenging, and more so challenging YOU to find the very thing about YOU that is beautiful… the thing about you that only you have. In life, we don’t want to become stagnant and comfortable, so in my class, I’m also throwing a random song out there, or a random ice-breaker or activity but it’s fun! On top of that, we do focus on the ingredients it takes to become that professional dancer you see on stage. I love when someone finds something different every time, and you witness the change in the right in front of your eyes! It gives me chills, I’m like yesss, that’s it!!!

With my brand, I’m most proud of the foundations that I’ve laid down thus far. I’m proud of the women I’ve touched, and the impact they have had on me. I’m most proud of my Trench coats! I’m so in love! What sets me apart from others is that I have visions that only I can see, so everything I do will automatically be different than any other brand. And that’s for everyone with their own brand. We have to remember to focus on ourselves and to never compare. What’s for you, is for you! You can do the same thing someone else is doing and still succeed!

I’ve also been doing more speaking at events because I want to continue to share my story with others and empower them. By sharing our stories, we spark something in someone else, who we may not even know, to have the confidence and hope that their dream is going to come true too. We spark something that lets them know the struggles that they are going through (that could have been the very thing we went through), it’s only temporary and it’s only a test of faith, and that they will get through it if they believe.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
The first woman who has inspired me in my life is my mom, Sheila. To see how she was able to do all that she did and raise five children at the same time is AMAZING! My mom to me is an example of pure love, and I’m inspired to love everyone no matter what. My sisters (Felicia, Maraysha, & Starsha) inspire me, they all uniquely have something special that I adore. The women (Carolyn Haynes, Nicole Wilson, Heel Talk team, and my other beautiful friends) in my circle inspire me. They are all queens in my eyes! The women in the dance industry inspire me, we endure so much and put our bodies through the most and manage to keep going while balancing our personal lives… although sometimes, it seems my life is all over the place, lol!

Some other Queens who have inspired me are Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Jada Pinkett, Ming Lee, Tanisha Scott, Jamaica Craft, Kimmie Gipson, Saidah Nairobi, Aisha Francis, Jessica Castro. And the women I’ve had the pleasure to work with! It keeps me going!

Pricing:

• Heel Talk Privates (dance lesson) $100/hr & 30 mins (half deposit)
• *All private celebration parties, & artist development services vary in pricing. *
• Masterclasses $500+

Contact Info:

• Website: www.officialtashab.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heeltalk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tasha.r.bryant
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TashaB__
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/tashab1/

Image Credit:
Photographer John James w/ MUA Hiwot, JWR photography (Justin Robinson) w/ MUA Naomi Millin (VisagesbyNaomi), hair provided by Meghann Monroe & Styled by RawSugaHair, Photographer Don Harris (Nikondon, Hardpress studio) w/ MUA Zee Jordan (ZJglam), hair styled by Divo, sponsored items by Melanie Mills Hollywood, Photographer John James w/ MUA Taylor Perymon (Eyeconicartistry)

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.