Yogi Dada is an artist who defines herself as a Dadaist, a philosophy that states, “… art is whatever you believe it is.” Growing up in upstate New York, she was exposed to a myriad of art forms, including music, dance, and theater. Her style is most heavily influenced by African culture and urban graffiti. Her mother was the first person to recognize her artistic talent and put a paintbrush in her hand at four years old. Dada continued her artistic training and completed a bachelor’s of Fine Art at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. However, she found herself discouraged during her education, never fitting into scholastic ideologies of art. After graduation, she stopped painting for nearly 20 years. Inspired by a close friend and the encouragement of her mother, Dada once again picked up painting. In 2010, following a year-long depression after the death of her mother, the artist painted her first pair of “Dadas,” exquisitely hand-painted and adorned wooden earrings. Gaining momentum from the fan-based campaign #RockDemDadas, Dadas have been worn by celebrities across the country and have gained an international clientele. In 2018 these sensational works of art afforded Dada the opportunity to train with fashion icon Hermes in New York.

A true renaissance artist, Dada is also a vocalist, poet, author, Djembe drummer, cellist, rapper, and sign language performer. She is passionate about serving her community and teaches business preparation seminars with a special focus on artists. In 2018 she launched her “Courage Beyond Pink” campaign in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise funds and bring awareness to breast cancer, with a special focus on women of color. In 2020 she started the YOGI DADA Fund to equip young artists with supplies to pursue their craft. She has served in local shelters teaching poetry and ministering inspiration as well as leading monthly community outreach through “Feed My Sheep” at her downtown Birmingham church.

In 2007, her vocals on APT’s “Mr. Dial Has Something to Say” awarded her an Emmy nomination. In 2021 she released her first film, the multi-award winning short documentary “GRAFFICA,” produced in conjunction with the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater of Alabama, which retells her story of coming into her identity as an artist through spiritual connectivity to Africa and the environmental influence of graffiti.

On April 23rd, 2022 she launched the flagship production of “GRAFFICA LIVE!” in Birmingham, AL based on her award-winning documentary, and “wowed” a fully packed multi-racial audience. The production is now preparing for touring.

Overall, Yogi Dada is an Artist, a human being, who desires to inspire and uplift others. Her hallmark for success? “It’s all God.”