How did Bankhead University come about?
Bankhead University came about after I felt a void in a leadership program that I could work with, guide [and] coach some of the younger youth that I saw with potential in Atlanta. I always wanted to showcase their talents to the world. [It’s a] great way to combine my idea for showcasing the younger dancers in Atlanta and promote my new clothing line.
Your dance routines have become challenges on TikTok. How does that make you feel, and does the added attention put pressure on you?
I think this new era of TikTok is great in some ways. I know many leaders in the dance industry have issues with the way it’s easier for “simple” dances on TikTok [to] make a “non-dancer” famous. I’m not complaining one bit. I could say there is pressure, but I never create for things to go viral. Two years ago, we dropped “Motivation” with Normani. Literally, this time last year, I dropped the “Cool Off” video with Missy [Elliott] and that started the “Cool Off Challenge.” Now we are on the “Up Challenge” [to Cardi B’s song], which was released two months ago and [is] still going strong virally.
