Meet your local Black fitness instructors.
Dai & Tre
It all begins with an idea.
About:
Dai and Tre, founders of Twerk Up A Sweat are sisters from Tacoma, WA that have been dancing and teaching dance fitness for a decade. These sisters are more than just trainers and choreographers; they are catalysts for change with a philosophy that intertwines movement and empowerment.
Where to find them
Aaliyah Earvin
About:
Aaliyah Earvin is a certified personal trainer, run coach, and health and life coach, founder of North of Seattle Run Club and owner of Aaliyah Earvin coaching. She designs fitness content tailored to runners, offering strength and running tips, alongside running clinics and workshopsWhere to find them
Adaeze Medani
It all begins with an idea.
Photo by Pao Sanchez
About (from Ada is Present)
Adaeze aka “Ada” is a personal trainer, nutrition coach and Lululemon ambassador. She was born and raised in Seattle, WA. Throughout her life, physical fitness has played a significant role. The foundation of her fitness started at the age of 7 with gymnastics and shortly after was introduced to track and field and played basketball from middle school up until high school. As a college student she rowed for the university of Washington her freshman year and continued to stay active throughout her time in college by using the gym and environment around her.
Time and time again she found herself using fitness to relax and reset when her mind is uneasy. Fitness is her medicine. It heals her anxiety and stress, gives her positive thoughts and motivates her to be the best version of herself. It is a confidence booster for her that elevates her drive to begin her day in the positive direction. She truly believes that incorporating fitness into your everyday life is the most effective way to positively feed your mind and give you the energy you need to have a productive day and be the nutrition your mind needs to curve unhealthy habits. She encourages everyone to be actively present in your overall health and wellness!
Adaeze has been featured in publications such as Pop Sugar, Pretty Girl Sweat, Converge Media, and has her picture up in the lululemon stores in Tacoma and Totem Lake.
Where to find them:
Ashley Davies
It all begins with an idea.
Photo by David Jaewon Oh
About:
Ashley Davies is a mother and lifelong runner who’s building community her own way. In 2017, she co-founded Club Seattle Run Division with the intention to make the club as inclusive as possible, focusing on community rather than performance. CSRD’s motto is All Faces, All Paces. The club encourages people of any background and fitness level to come run with them and make some friends along the way.
Where to find them:
Hawi Gezai
Photo by Pao Sanchez
About (from Orion Sports Club):
Coach Hawi is a passionate and experienced coach with nearly a decade of dedication to health and fitness, specializing in Boxing, Strength and Conditioning, Endurance Training, and Mental fitness. He is a personal trainer, running coach, and lululemon Ambassador in Washington, known for his commitment to fostering a supportive and motivated community. Beyond the gym, he actively engages with the community through run clubs, marathons, and local fitness events, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie and collective growth. His hope for every client is to leave his sessions feeling stronger, more confident, and ready to tackle life’s challenges—both in and out of the gym.
Hawi’s coaching philosophy centers on the belief that physical and mental fitness are essential to a fulfilling life. His mission is to empower clients to recognize their potential, challenge themselves, and achieve their goals. Through dynamic boxing sessions, personalized training plans, and his role as a coach, he inspires clients to embrace the transformative power of movement and resilience.
Where to find them:
Orion Schedule (filter by trainer):
Kisha Vaughan
Photo by Patrick Robinson
About (from Dope Girl Movement):
Kisha Vaughan, originally from Biloxi, Mississippi, and raised in Sacramento, California, has been a dynamic force in Seattle’s hip hop dance scene for over two decades. As Creative Director of Dope Girl Movement, she creates platforms to showcase the artistic essence of hip hop dance, celebrating its uniqueness while providing local hip hop dancers visibility and professional opportunities. She’s been the Creative Director for Emerald City Elite, Poison Poppies, and Garfield High School Puppettes. Her choreography has also been seen at Monsters of Hip Hop, World of Dance, and Bumbershoot. Kisha’s career highlights include being an original backup dancer for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, touring across the U.S. and Canada. She has also danced with local crews Breaking Point Dance Company, In Effect Hip Hop, Purple Lemonade, and Seattle Storm Hip Hop Squad. She’s performed at Showtime at the Apollo, Live at Conan O’Brien, MTV Music Awards, Billboard Awards, Sasquatch, We Day, Bumbershoot, Seattle Pride, Capitol Hill Block Party, and Folklife. Kisha has shared her teaching expertise at Westlake Dance Center, Cornish College of the Arts, Arts Corps, Interagency Academy, among others. She currently teaches at Turning Point Dance Centre and Rowdy Box, and serves as a Lululemon Ambassador.