Akira Armstrong, owner of Pretty BIG Movement dance company, is a trailblazing Bronx native with skills that have taken her resume to the next level with credits including performing alongside artists like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Salt-N-Pepa, SWV, Jennifer Hudson, Jasmine Sullivan, Daddy Yankee, Big Freedia, television performances on Lip Sync Battle, Black Girls Rock!, and the 2019 MTV VMAs, and even a stint on Netflix’s Dance 100 dance competition show.  Akira has been featured in media including Vibe, CNN, NPR Weekend Edition, and many more. 

Akira has had two viral dance videos, one with more than 10 million views in less than 24 hours, and one with 1.5 million views. HBO Max and John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Company, along with MACRO, are filming a movie inspired by her company Pretty BIG Movement to tell Akira’s story. It’s the story of rising over rejection in Hollywood to build a dance company that would defy stereotypes for years to come. 

While moving her feet to the beat is a passion, Akira’s purpose is bigger. Her purpose is to encourage body positivity and inclusion through her love of teaching and choreographing. From her middle school students to her apprenticeship intensive dance training program, Akira has created a no-judgment zone and safe space for women and men of all sizes to embrace their love of dance. She leads classes at her Pretty BIG Movement dance company and Alvin Ailey Studio Extension.