Posted
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008; 6:12 p.m.
The DeDe of DeDe Dance Studio
Deara "DeDe" Okonkwo shares why DeDe Dance Studio is a dream come true for both herself and her mother.
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Deara Okonkwo poses with her mother, Kendra. Photo courtesy of DeDe Dance Studio. |
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By Ashley Chang
The L.A. Pilot
Deara “DeDe” Okonkwo’s mother, Kendra, promised her daughter a dance studio when DeDe was just 18 months old.
“I just wanted my daughter to be able to do more. And the more you teach the more you know. I felt like should teach so she can learn more,” Kendra Okonkwo said.
For her 16th birthday, Kendra and her sister turned a storage room into a dance studio in order to give Deara the opportunity to share her passion for dance with children in her community. The nonprofit dance studio near Deara’s home teaches a variety of dance classes including ballet, jazz, hip hop, African and Flamenco to disadvantaged children in South Los Angeles.
But Deara’s accomplishments have not been limited to the dance studio.
Deara was the youngest among 10,000 students in The University of Southern California’s Class of 2008 when she earned her bachelor's degree in English at the age of 17.
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Deara Okonkwo graduated from USC with a bachelor's degree in English in 2008.
Photo courtesy of DeDe Dance Studio. |
Okonkwo, a first-generation American born daughter of Nigerian parents, says her parents’ support has led her to dream big.
“My mom always said the sky was the limit and always set high goals for herself and me. She wanted to have high expectations for me and I think she instilled a lot of audacity in me,” Deara said.
Deara was born and raised in South Los Angeles and attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on Vermont Avenue, across from USC’s University Park campus. Her weekly trips to church gave her the desire to become a USC Trojan, as the college was located in the middle of her community.
While many individuals in her community said Deara’s goal of attending USC was too prestigious, Deara said she worked even harder to get in.
Deara continues to set aspirations for herself and says her ultimate career goal is to become the Secretary of Education for the United States.
“A lot of people say that’s so lofty…but since I was a baby, my mom has shown me how to dream so big…and now I dream so big,” Deara said. |
What DeDe's students and volunteers say about her:
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Photo courtesy of Deara Okonkwo. |
| "When I grow up, I want to be a dance teacher just like DeDe. She is wonderful and she inspires me to do anything I want to do." |
-Anijah White, 12, student |
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"DeDe's full of energy, she's encouraging. She knows exactly how to motivate each young lady." |
-Charletha Washington, Volunteer |
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| "I feel excited to be with DeDe because she is a fantastic dance teacher and she's like a sister to me. She's an inspiration to me." |
-Tashay Gaydea, 11, student |
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