Interview with Malia Connor

Meet Malia Connor!

Malia Connor, creator of Malia Movement Company and all around incredible Queen Mermaid! This is one of those people that if you have the benefit of meeting her, you will never forget her even if you never speak again. Her aloha is strong! I'm thankful she's given me some of her time.

Who is Malia Connor? Malia Connor is a dancer, choreographer, spoken word artist, photographer, single mother and half mermaid 

Why did you decide to create a dance company? I began Malia Movement Company 20yrs in response to being told (at 25) that I should start looking into other fields since I was getting too old to dance professionally. The focus of my group is to heal Women of Color with movement.

What is the significance of movement? For me, Dunham dance has saved my life. quite literally. Movement is like the ocean for me... serious 'church'.

What is your kinship to mermaids? As far as mermaids, I come from a long line of mermaids on my Kanaka Maoli side. it's in my blood... divers, fishermen, surfers, salty ocean lovas

How has having a community of women, a sisterhood, helped you? Sisterhood, like all of my important relationships is mandatory for my health. We live in a white dominated patriarchal system so any connection I can make with another Woman becomes crucial for my survival.

Name a woman that has inspired you and why. Currently the one Woman that inspires me daily is my 14year old daughter Oni. She is the reason why I continue to create.

Last thoughts or words of encouragement to share? Kiki.. thank you for being you. Your light is beautiful and I enjoy bathing in it. Here's to all of us Queens taking night swims in each other's beauty. XOXOXO

THANK YOU MALIA! I share the same love to her as a Queen moving along on this earth. She has encouraged me with her sisterhood and I'm thrilled to highlight such a beautiful spirit during this Women's History Month. 

Peace, 

Kiki Poe

Interview with Eleven 26

Meet Eleven 26!

Eleven 26 is an entertainment company based out of Southern California who aims to give people an alternative social experience, but who are they REALLY?! I know these women personally and wanted to dig in a little deeper into what Eleven 26 is as a company and where they're going. The company is comprised of the powerful duo, Osha McCall (top left) and Rhonda Kennedy (top right).

MP: First of all, thank you for meeting with me. It's Women's History Month and I wanted to highlight Eleven 26 for the work you're doing.

E26: Thank you for having us!

MP: So tell me who and what is Eleven 26?

E26: (Osha) Eleven 26 encompasses everything that we define entertainment to be. Initially it was about creating alternative social experiences for our friends and their friends. We started out with the debate party [called Controversy]. It was pretty much something we already did with our friends; TV wouldn't be on, nothing would be playing in the background and we’d just be having conversation. 

MP: You said it would be an "alternative social experience"...

E26: (Rhonda) Yeah, hopefully providing different social experiences because we can always go to the club. But you want to sit down in a different type of environment and pick up different opinions and perspectives. You can get so caught up in mind. It’s good to get a different point of view from different people. Controversy opens up the dialogue and puts people in a safe, comfortable environment. And there are some people who feel like they can’t talk about certain things. So maybe putting a topic or two in the box anonymously will help them get through certain things they feel they can’t talk about in certain arenas. That’s what our goal has been and it just gets better and better as time goes on.

MP: You mentioned a social experience for your friends. Was there a particular demographic you had in mind for the debate party?

E26: (Osha) To be completely honest with you, when we talked about it we wanted to make it open to our friends, all inclusive to whatever race that was, whatever sexual orientation that was. But we realized that who we were, what race we were and what sexual orientation we were is who this event catered to. All of our friends are lesbians, Black, beautiful articulate women and that’s who showed up. That was definitely the majority and there are definitely the allies who come through and support.  

E26: (Rhonda) The thing I love about Controversy is that it isn't about how many bodies show up but how much everyone contributes. Other places rely on how many people show up in order for it to function, to be a good time and successful.

MP: Right now it’s a free event for mostly your friends and their friends. Do you see, down the road this being something more open to the public? How do you see it evolving?

E26: (Osha) We’ve talked about Controversy being one of the things we do for community outreach. Although making money would be awesome you can’t get rich off everything. We like the experience of what Controversy is and what people take from it. So this isn’t really something we’re trying to profit from. We’re also working on a summer tour because some people have showed interest in other states.

MP: Controversy was the kick-off for Eleven 26, what else is happening?

   They both share a smile and laugh

E26: (Rhonda) We have another event coming soon, another alternative social experience for an intimate group that includes wine, music and is for the art lovers. [MP can’t give you all the details before the event is announced but I promise you this is going to be that date you mark in PEN on your calendar!] There’s also a web series I wrote called “Good Lovin”. 

MP: When you first spoke about Good Lovin, I immediately thought it was going be a lesbian film.

E26: (Rhonda) I’m glad you said that because I think a lot of people thought so too. I’m always going to be true to how I feel in that moment. I never had a lesbian couple in mind at the base of Good Lovin, I just never saw it. I think there are people who haven’t watched it because they think it’s going to be about lesbians and there are people who think “Oh it’s not about girls, then I’m cool”.

MP: For me knowing Eleven 26, participating in Controversy and seeing Good Lovin’ ; you have these different elements that really speaks to the idea that Eleven 26 is truly an alternative social experience. You have something for everybody.
  E26: (Osha) We also have a t-shirt collection coming out.
   We all start laughing!

MP: Ok, how will the t-shirts tie into the “alternative social experience”?

E26: (Osha) They’re going to represent us as individuals and when you see them you’ll see how they’re not the typical t-shirt.
    I had to give them that look of amazement and started laughing again


E26: (Rhonda) I know right!


MP: So it’s Women’s History month and it’s very important for us to recognize those who have come before us. Is there a woman that has inspired you or has been a mentor of some kind?

E26: (Osha) My grandmother. She was a Capricorn and she just did whatever she wanted to. She was in corporate America for a long time then she decided she wanted to be a cosmetologist, in her 50’s. “I want to do hair, I want to make people look beautiful and I want to shop at Neiman Marcus, that’s all I want to do.” When I was younger she would talk my ear off and I’d be wondering what is this lady trying to tell me and when she passed away every gem she left me then it comes back to me when I need it the most. I feel like I embody her and she inspires me daily. She is my shero.

E26: (Rhonda) I’m a visual person and I wasn't sure how my life was going to work out, the creative aspect of it. The first person that popped in my mind is Queen Latifah because I see so much of myself in her. She was doing the things I wanted to do. She rapped and I rapped for a period of my life and then she started doing film and those were the things I wanted to get into. I see all the different projects she does and I know it’s possible to do it. There are so many dimensions to her and it’s inspiring. She’s never faded into the background and she’s in total control of her career and that’s what I want. 

MP: As an outsider looking in, it sounds like you’re building a life style. 

E26: (Rhonda) We’re not trying to set ourselves apart but it’s something that interests us and we hope that it interests others along the way.

E26: (Osha) This may very well be the thing that allows us to live freely. It’s our way to live the way we want to live and encourage others to do the same.

If you haven't been to one of their events, please mark your calendar. These ladies are dynamic individuals working hard to offer their community something different, something unique. Thank you Osha and Rhonda for taking the time to speak to Malu Presents. 

Peace, 

Kiki Poe