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+1 510-282-6444
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Oakland, CA 94605
Downtown Oakland
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570 ftCity Center
630 ft13th Street
0.2 miOakland City Center - 12th Street
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Specialties
Sistas-Wit-Style & Associates specializes in Caribbean dance, costume designs, costume production, carnival production
History
Established in 2000.
Sistas-Wit-Style «Dance that moves the world» is a 501©(3) non-profit organization, Caribbean Folk Performing Dance Company. Their dances originate from Trinidad and Tobago. The group was founded in October 2000 by Merissa Lyons (CEO), Kianna Rachal (CFO), managed by Annabelle Goodridge; later accompanied by Valencia Newton (COO) in December 2001. As Oakland natives Merissa, Kianna, and Valencia have been involved with their Bay Area Community since their preteen years. In their early stages the girls were mentored with love and talent by Jackie Artman, Stasha George who has performed with the Soul Circus and Malik Folk Performing Dance Group of Trinidad and Tobago. For many years SWS has been joined by World-renowned drummer Val Serrant, popular dancer/drummer of «Islands of Fire» Tomi Seon, Swadi, Tumani, Hugh and others. Sistas-Wit-Style’s goals are to serve the community through dance and show that youth can make a positive difference in the community.
Meet the Business Owner
Sistas-Wit-Style A.
Business Owner
Born of Trinidadian parents, Merissa was exposed to Caribbean music and dance at an early age. She was actively involved with the traditional cultural art form of Carnival internationally. It was not unexpected when Merissa took a lead role in choreography and dancing in SWS, (Sistas-Wit-Style). Merissa Lyons studied dance at San Jose State University and is currently attending San Francisco Academy of Art.
Kianna Rachal was introduced to the culture of Carnival at age 7. She adopted the music and dance rhythms as though it was her birthright. Kianna embraced the role of lead dancer and instructor as co-founder of SWS. She studied dance at Cal State East Bay and is a graduate of Alameda Beauty College.
With the addition of an excellent scholar, dancer and friend Valencia Newton took on the challenge of creating, performing and teaching year round with her formation of SWS. She too had been a proud masquerader from a young age. Valencia graduated from UC Berkeley.
