Line Dance Connection:	What's your name? Do you have any dance nicknames that you're known by?
Nzinga Khalid:	Nzinga Akili Enam Khalid. Named after Queen Nzinga of Angola, Africa. My line dance Nickname is Pyrite Soul. The science teacher in me encourages everyone to learn about Pyrite, it's so much more than "fools gold".
Line Dance Connection:	Where are you from and what city do you call home?
Nzinga Khalid:	I've resided in Milwaukee, WI since 1984; however, I will always consider my birthplace Chicago home.
Line Dance Connection:	What do you do in your professional life? Any hobbies outside of dance?
Nzinga Khalid:	At present I wear two hats professionally. I am the Project Manager for an organization called GreatSchools, Inc. We help provide parents with resources and tools to help them select high performing schools. We put information at parent's fingertips in all 50 states via our website. http://www.greatschools.org/ I also am the Founder and CEO of Mind, Body & Soul Dancers, Inc. We are a non-profit organization where our mission is to use urban line dancing as a tool to reduce negative aggression and depression in adults and youth. Our secondary aim is to utilize urban line dancing to strengthen the Mind, Body & Soul connection holistically by receiving the health benefits of regular physical activity, positive social interaction, and healthy clean eating. Outside of line dancing I enjoy making jewelry for my line called ZUnique. Specifically, I craft and design hand painted one of a kind leather earrings and one of a kind earlace (earrings and necklace combined). Available soon on my website http://www.linedancemilwaukee.com/
Line Dance Connection:	So what do they call this dance craze in your home town? Line Dancing, Hustling, Sliding, Other?
Nzinga Khalid:	In Milwaukee it's called Line Dancing.
Line Dance Connection:	Are you affiliated with any group or groups?
Nzinga Khalid:	In addition to my community organization, Mind, Body & Soul Dancers, Inc., I am also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Line Dance Connection:	How long have you been dancing?
Nzinga Khalid:	I have been dancing since I was a child. In fact, one of my childhood nicknames is "Dancing Donna from Detroit". The funny thing is, the person who gave me this nickname knew that I was from Chicago, but he insisted on calling me that because of my passion for dance. I was also the "Step Master" for my sorority for many years before passing the torch. I have only been line dancing since January 2008.
Line Dance Connection:	How did you get involved in dancing?
Nzinga Khalid:	Tipping the scales at approximately 385lbs, tired of being considered pre-diabetic & pre-hypertensive, I made a decision to live again. In Jan. 2008 I joined Ladies Workout Express Gym where they offered circuit training, Zumba, and line dancing. For a year I enjoyed the classes. I was like a sponge, soaking up everything I could. Then I discovered a few videos on YouTube which lead me to Google other opportunities to line dance. Luckily, I found Happy Feet Soul Line Dance Network and from there I found out about the very first Southeast Largest Line Dance Party in Atlanta, GA. I drove 15 hours with a friend from the line dance class to ATL and had the time of my life that weekend. It was truly an eye opening experience. I was hooked and I have been going full steam ahead ever since.
Line Dance Connection:	After you attended your very first class, how did you feel?
Nzinga Khalid:	I was sweaty, smiling, and amazed at how great that workout class felt. I knew that line dancing would be my secret weapon to get healthy again. Since I loved to dance so much, it was fool proof exercise for me. Line dance and healthy eating has helped me lose 97 lbs since 2008.....and still losing.
Line Dance Connection:	How did you get into choreography?
Nzinga Khalid:	The simple answer is I'm a spiritual person who loves music! If the lyrics and beat resonate with my soul I feel compelled move. I will listen to a song over and over and envision the steps in my head before I write them down or get up to try them to the music. I've found that my best line dances have been the ones where the creativity flowed effortlessly. The line dance movement is not necessarily new to Milwaukee; however, we were not connected to the larger nationwide community of line dancers until I started to travel and choreograph dances of my own.
Line Dance Connection:	How many dances have you created and what was the very first dance you created?
Nzinga Khalid:	I have created 35 line dances so far, working on two songs now...LOL. The very first dance I created is called Imma Be Smooth & Easy.
Line Dance Connection:	Of all your dances which one would you say is your favorite?
Nzinga Khalid:	Wow, that's a difficult question....it's like choosing a favorite child!! Right now I would have to say Tweet This is my Favorite!!! But don't hold me to that, LOL
Line Dance Connection:	In your own words, what makes dancing special?
Nzinga Khalid:	Line dancing is special to me because it heals my pain. The pain of a broken heart, the pain of depression and loneliness, the pain of physical inactivity. Line dancing is special to me because it brings me joy, joy of originality and self-expression, joy of being in sync, connected, and re-energizing with others. Line dancing is special to me because it allows me to do what I LOVE! It allows me to LIVE MY PASSION & HELP HEAL MY COMMUNITY! Eventually lead me to step out on faith and never "work" another day in my life. You see, I don't line dance because it's just a fun hobby, I line dance because I HAVE TO!!!! Line dancing is vital ingredient to nourishing my well-being!!! BE HEALTHY YALL!!!
Line Dance Connection:	If you could change one thing about dancing, what would it be?
Nzinga Khalid:	I would change our exposure. Where is our reality show? The world needs to know about this wonderful gift we have; this often magical life we live. Line dancing is the truth and the world needs to hear about it!!
Line Dance Connection:	Tell me one thing about yourself that the dance community would find surprising.
Nzinga Khalid:	Most people may not know that I legally changed my name to Nzinga Akili Enam Khalid in 2000. I was born Donna Cellastine McComb. I feel one should always be on a journey to improve themselves physically, mentally, spiritually and culturally. I experienced a rites of passage that lead me to my name. Nzinga means beauty strength and courage. Akili means wisdom. Enam means God gave this to me. And Khalid (my marriage name) means everlasting.