Today we’d like to introduce you to Nekisha Olaya
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The best way to describe where I gotten today was taking a risk for myself by moving out to Austin and speaking so much of my dreams and goals into existence. After graduating from University of Houston in Spring ’19, I took a chance on myself and started a life in Austin thinking life would kickoff, until mother nature told us we need to pause to cleanse the whole planet. Mind you, this leap of faith happened 3 months before everything shutdown. The pandemic did bring me to a point where I was questioning myself if I made the right decision in moving to Austin at the hardest time of my life. But, I knew my reckless decision always had a purpose behind it and it’s now showing after 5 years.
The pandemic literally was the awkwardest timing of my life since I was trying to figure out what path I’ll be taking as a new graduate in a new city with little to no friends. It took some time (nearly 2 years) to figure out what I wanted to do while adjusting to the new “norm” the city/world was now facing. I knew I always wanted to take on the journey in coordinating events after numerous experiences at UH since I was super involved (UH Ambassador, Bauer Women Society, UH Cub Camp, list goes on…). In summer ’22, I took on a position in becoming an Assistant Event Manager for the Sistine Chapel Exhibit that popped up at COTA, which finally allowed me to expose myself in coordinating some fun events for those who attended the exhibit. It took many job applications for someone to finally give me a chance after everything was shutdown for those 2 years.
The experience itself was everything, but I knew it wasn’t enough. While working at the exhibit, I came up with the name Dope Reina and had it sit in my notes for over a year thinking it will come to use one day. I would go back to that note so often while I was trying to figure out what I truly want to do. Then, the name came to life June 4th, 2023 at my first coordinated event while debuting as a DJ for the first time, which was called DayDreamin’. From there on, the name has become my brand. Not only as a DJ, but the creative bundle of joy that walks this city today.
Dope Reina has been part of me (forever) and I can now openly express myself as the creative I always known to be. With this name, it has allowed me to show many parts of myself – painter, curator, influencer, being dope – and this has allowed me to connect with amazing creatives in different areas as well as the a flood of creative opportunities here in Austin. Dope Reina has showed face at Afrotech, SXSW, Consensus Conference, and so on, and now I have presented the city to my biggest upcoming accomplishment – Juntos.
Juntos is my pride and joy at this time. This is an ongoing event that I have started this summer to celebrate all latino culture, especially highlighting more Afro Latinos that are here in Austin and around the state of Texas. With me being Colombian born and raised in Houston, the city was very diverse in celebrating all latinos, until I came to Austin. And so, this idea of highlighting more of us from various latin cultures, I took this chance to make this come to life. Now, with just 2 events in, I am ready to push more big events over time.
So where do I stand today? I am thriving in ways that terrify me, but honestly fuels me with more excitement to see what is the next big thing to happen for me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Please. Let’s just say it has been chaotic in the most beautiful way over the years. So chaotic, I have grown to be comfortable with it cause the sky always clears up at the end of the day.
First obstacle, the pandemic. There was nothing in this world that had prepared us for that. No manual, literally nothing! Imagine trying to find a job in those 2 years while the pandemic erased the way events would impact the world. I was alone out here for a bit and so it was hard to really find the support/influence at that time. Then over time, things slowly started to flow, but personal obstacles still tried to knock me off my balance. I had cried so much, lost connections, as well as fought intrusive thoughts that made me feel as though I was making the worse decisions of my life. The path has been so rocky, but that hasn’t knocked me down cause I know bigger things are coming my way.
I came this far. I’m meant to be here.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am dope. That’s what sets me apart (just kidding).
In all honesty, I am known for being my true self. The creative name Dope Reina is just a name that adds more to who I truly am. Many know me as a DJ after I debuted in Summer ’23, but over the span of time, I grown to be more than that. I have become an event curator that has coordinated and hosted numerous events over the span of the year. It first started with Disco Cherry and now led me to my biggest pride and joy right now, Juntos.
Juntos is an ongoing event that celebrates all latino culture, especially highlighting more Afro Latinos that are here in Austin and around the state of Texas. The reason why I am made this is to bring more light to our culture and celebrate us in ways that many seem to not realize. Not saying Austin doesn’t celebrate us, but there are spaces that I wish we were included in. And so, that is why Juntos came to life cause we all deserve to be celebrated in many ways.
Now the difference about me, I never really fit in one space. I tend to move around in spaces that align with my goals, but I never quite fit in just one space. It’s been told my aura/energy is attractive in ways that people seem to always warm up to just being open with me and being their true selves. That’s all I want from everyone I engage with – to just be yourself cause there is only one you.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The best thing that has happened to me since living here is finding the beautiful community I have engaged with and fill complete support from. This community has become a family I grew to love and they have been an influence in my overall life here. If it wasn’t for them, who knows where I would be today. Now, I do wish other communities can see what we are trying to create out here and come together to work on a beautiful thing. Now the real answer for you is this – I love (some of) the tacos in Austin. I don’t love how the city is erasing the Austin culture – and there you have it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: dopereina_ & juntostx
Image Credits
Salihah Saadiq
Jessie Rodriguez
DeAndre Acosta
Curtis Wiimz
