Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Awino.
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, a 28-years-old mother of a 5-year-old daughter. She moved to Dallas at the age of 9. Ballkid for the Dallas Mavericks from age 12 to 18. Signed up and applied at Mavs Hoop Camp. Found out about the hoop camp through UPN 21 commercial. She’s interested in sports and music my whole life
Played Piano since she was 5. Played cello in middle school. Began DJing in college.
Ivy was a ball kid for the Mavs from ages 12 to 18. After I graduated from Marquette, alongside classmates including Jimmy Butler, Wesley Matthews, and Jae Crowder, it was the contacts I cultivated as a youngster that helped me land my current position. Toured with Skylar Diggins-Smith as the DJ for her Shoot 4 The Sky Camps. Became the DJ for the Dallas Wings during the 20th anniversary season of the WNBA.
About to begin my 3rd season as the Dallas Mavericks DJ/in-arena music coordinator. First ever black female DJ to work in the NBA. Second ever female team DJ. First ever female NBA all-star game DJ. DJ’d the NBA Africa game in South Africa this year. Beginning the season in China with the Mavs and a lover of the African culture and I definitely use all my platforms to push the agenda. K104 on-air personality/mix show DJ.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been smooth but it’s not supposed to be. The joys and pains, ebbs and flows are all that makes the experience memorable. Keep God first and learn to relax. Talk less and listen more. Love what you do and have pride in yourself and your work and it will show.
What should we know about Poizon Ivy The DJ? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Going from on air, to arenas, to clubs and main stages, DJ Poizon Ivy has lent her services to major brands and corporations including Atlantic Records, Red Bull, Adidas, and the Milwaukee Brewers. She’s spun for non-profit organizations and events: Skylar Diggins “Shoot 4 the Sky” Basketball Camp Tour, Snoop Dogg’s Youth Football League, and Obama for America.
When she’s not honing her skills, DJ Poizon Ivy is advocating for various causes and working with non-profit organizations that enable young women pursuing careers in music, young mothers, and organizations that aide health issues affecting young women.
DJ Poizon Ivy’s personal vision includes branding herself as a curator of music, fashion, entertainment and all things female empowerment.
A made for TV mini-documentary entitled “Fate & Faith” produced by Fox 4’s Heather Hays won a regional Emmy this year.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Now more than ever, there are but that doesn’t mean that there are enough. Until the numbers show about even, we will continue to strive to get them there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.poizonivythedj.com
- Phone: 972-898-5934
- Email: ivy@poizonivythedj.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/poizonivythedj
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/poizonivythedj
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/poizonivythedj
- Other: www.mixcloud.com/poizonivythedj
Image Credit:
Annie Devine, Shelbie Sumter
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