Leiomy Maldonado known as the "Wonder Woman of Vogue", is a transgender Afro-Puerto Rican dancer/choreographer, instructor, model, actress, activist, and ballroom icon. She is the founder of the House of Amazon and globally acclaimed for elevating the artform of vogue performance. Maldonado introduced a new style of voguing which is more athletic and dramatic when she entered into the scene in early 2000s New York. Some of her illustrious accolades include, her pioneering time as a member of the dance troupe "Vogue Evolution", which was featured on Season 4 of America's Best Dance Crew. She also collaborated with renowned artists such as Willow Smith, Icona Pop, and Rihanna. She was a fixture and permanent judge on HBO Max's "Legendary" for seasons 1-3. Finally her prolific role as a recurring actress and Chorographer on FX's groundbreaking series "Pose". Simply put, Icon Leiomy is a global phenomenon inside and outside of the ballroom community. With a social media imprint across multiple platforms equally over half a million followers. She is an international force of nature and inspiration to generations of young queer identifying people around the world.

**Courtney Washington Balenciaga** is a visionary dancer, creative director, and cultural icon who has dedicated her life to movement, artistry, and community. Growing up as the middle child in a family of nine, Courtney discovered her passion for dance early on and has been captivating audiences ever since. As the founder of **Masterz at Work Dance Family**, Courtney has built one of New York City's most celebrated dance companies. Known for their dynamic performances and innovative choreography, the Masterz have graced some of the most prestigious stages, including Times Square’s Trans Day of Visibility, the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series, the Hudson Valley Dance Festival, Fire Island Dance Festival with Dancers Responding to AIDS, Jacob’s Pillow, and Lincoln Center, among others. In addition to her work with Masterz at Work, Courtney is a trailblazer in ballroom culture, having created The Iconic **House of Juicy Couture**, a staple in the ballroom community. She is also a proud leader in the **House of Balenciaga**, earning the title of **Mother of the Year** five times over three years. Courtney’s creative expertise extends beyond the stage, with credits as an assistant choreographer for HBO’s *Legendary* (Season 1) and as a choreographer for Netflix’s *Survival of the Thickest* (Season 2). She has also directed multiple music videos and stage performances for various artists, showcasing her ability to merge technical precision with emotional storytelling, leaving a lasting impact on every project she touches. A fierce advocate for her community, Courtney has been widely recognized for her contributions to dance and ballroom culture. Her accolades include the **Avis Pendavis Award for Greatness** (2022), the **Teresa Mizrahi Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Ballroom Community** (2021), and the **Black Pride Council Visionary Award** (2017). In 2020, she received an official **Proclamation from the New York City Senate**, honoring her impact on the arts and LGBTQ+ community. “Recently, Courtney was awarded the Matriarch Award by her son, Alex Mugler, at MoMA PS1—a recognition she holds close to her heart.” “Courtney owes much of her success to her late best friend, Myiesha, who made her believe that she was capable of achieving greatness.” In honor of Myiesha’s life and legacy, Courtney started an annual celebration to commemorate her, ensuring her memory continues to inspire and uplift others. Known for her boldness, leadership, and dedication to excellence, Courtney Washington Balenciaga continues to inspire through her artistry and advocacy, ensuring that every stage she touches becomes a platform for visibility, empowerment, and joy.

Fashionista, Founding House Mother and a Ballroom resume that just keeps on going like the energizer rabbit. Geraldine Baker (Duchess La Wong, House of Wong) is one of the originals. Born in New York, NY in 1951, she discovered the Ballroom House culture after one night she was hanging out in front of Andre’s Bar in 1967. Someone came out of a car and had a beautiful rued gown and just started parading around the street in it. Duchess asked where she was going and it was explained that they were going to a Ball at the Hotel Diplomat. Duchess remembers that it was all very extravagant and was invited to bring her next time. This is when she joined the Golden Era (1967- 1973) of Ballroom and went to her first ball at the Karate Club on 123rd st. in 1968. It was Jerome Fraiser’s ball and the category she walked was Grand Prize at the time. She then went on to walk Foot and eyewear, Leather vs. Suede, Silk vs. Linen and in the very future Best Dressed. She paid a particular attention to detail on her Ballroom eects with a specialty in beading. Her nemesis was the late Paris Dupree. Pier Wong became her Mother and there was only one House, the House or LaChanel. From that house, the Houses of Wong, Xtravaganza, Corey, Dupree, Pendavis, Chanel, Revlon, Ebony, and Mugler were formed. For 55 years, there is no other that has remained relevant and current to this day. The last ball that Duchess walked was the Ballroom Throwbacks TV Ball in February of 2019, where she ended up in the last battle against a Tisci. She won the Grand Prize trophy and he took home the cash. Duchess remains revered for being one of the founding mothers of Ballroom, without her legacy, Ballroom will not be Ballroom today.

In 2017, Tracey Africa Norman’s name became synonymous with the term “the comeback kid”. Since such time she’s become a classic staple during Black History month, Black Pride, and Gay Pride. Ms. Norman’s story has become sort after for interviews by such publications as British GQ, The Hollywood Reporter, Vogue Italiana, Ambassador magazine (cover), Out magazine (cover), Harpers Bazaar (cover), Swerv magazine (3 covers), Marie Claire South Africa, Us magazine, People.com/style, The Guardian, Refinery 29, Madamenoire, Huffington Post. Her face and body have graced campaigns for such international designers as Marc Jacobs (beauty), Club Monaco, Lexus, and her return to work with Clairol. Tracey's earlier modeling career started, by being in the wrong place, at the right time. She'd accidencely wandered into a model casting for the European designer Basile. As luck would have it, Tracey got the booking, alongside several other notable NYC top models, such as Peggy Dillard, Jennifer Price, Pita Greene, and Romney Russo each featured in Basile’s fashion layout, photographed by internationally renowned photographer Irving Penn for Italian Vogue. Immediately after the session Mr. Penn placed a direct call to Mr. Zoltan Zoli, (then one of NYC's top modeling agencies, regarding his new find), Ms. Tracey Gayle Norman. Unbeknownst to anyone on this historical set, true “herstory” had just been made. Tracey was quickly signed with the Zoli modeling agency, and immediately sent out on direct catalogue bookings mostly in the Mid-West. In New York she began working for clients, such as wig master Andre Douglas, Avon, Clairol, Ultra Sheen cosmetics, Essence magazine, and even designer Patrick Kelly (then based in NYC. Wikipedia is yet another true measure of one’s success, Wikipedia states Tracey "Africa" Norman is an American model. Norman was the first African-American transgender woman model to appear on a box of Clairol in the 1970s. Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Africa has modeled and been photographed for such publications as Essence, Vogue Italia and Harper's Bazaar India. Norman also had a magazine cover and life story spread in New York Magazine. Before the New York magazine coverage Tracey was quietly beginning a career as a makeup artist and fashion stylist. When asked what's next for her, she’d often reply,” I have no idea, I never planned any of this, all I ever really wanted was to live a quiet, respectful life, I never realized that at some point I'd be considered a role model”. My friend designer Douglas Says pointed out to me while we were on set shooting for New York magazine, just how significant my achievements were. The magazine highlighted the fact that I was the first Black Trans-woman to have successfully worked in the fashion industry as a model, I’d never given that any thought, I saw myself merely as a working model! However, many of today’s lovely Trans-stars, such as: Laverne Cox, Janet Mock, Lea T, Andrej Pejic, Valentijn de Hingh, Carmen Carrera, Teri Toye and Tula. Have outwardly credited Tracey for her earlier work which helped to encourage and inspire them forward on their paths. Which is wonderful to hear and know, because I must admit that my whole life was turned upside down for many years, after that hateful outing, which ended that part of my career. I've always been a very private person, never had too many people around me posing as friends, my friends were from my youth. After the outing I became a recluse, in my own private world, thank God for my family’s support and my spirituality. Somewhere around 1986, God sent me a gift, named Douglas, who slowly pulled me out of the dark place I'd shut myself off into. Together, we started doing simple things like laughing, putting on makeup, and I begin telling my story, he became like my therapist. That whole career outing incident caused me to develop major insecurities and trust issues. Slowly I started getting back out into the world, now and again we'd venture out to a club or two, it was always shocking to see how people reacted when they saw me, I had no clue. Over time my confidence came back, I was back into fashion working exclusively for Douglas walking in his shows, as well as back in front of the cameras again, shooting his ad campaigns. Throughout the 90's, we were an underground dynamic fashion duo. Working together, turning out amazing images with a host of African American photographers. I was always comfortable having nothing to hide. Earlier career highlights: In 1990-91 Tracey filmed a public announcement for GMHC on Aids Awareness, made for NYC cable. In 1992 at 40 years old Tracey participated in the Sally Jesse Raphael fantasy pageant (of Trans-women) and won! Throughout the 90's she's appeared in several indie films, such as: the German made film "My Fathers Coming", Don't Go to Strangers", and more recently "How Do I Look". Throughout her time spent in fashion Tracey became known for her floating, graceful, runway ease. Which she also applied to her Ballroom appearances, later becoming the mother of the "House of Africa"! Tracey has also appeared in the stage production of "The Colored Museum", as one of the talking wig heads. https://youtu.be/DdqbYjivr1o

Dominique Jackson is a model, actress, and author who is best known for her performance as the lead role ELEKTRA in POSE for FX and recently starred as BLOODY MARY in the weekly anthology spin-off series AMERICAN HORROR STORIES. Dominique can soon be seen in the upcoming feature QUEENS OF THE DEAD, alongside Katy O’Brian and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Dominique can also be seen in an arc on AMERICAN GODS on Starz, the feature film CHICK FIGHT opposite Malin Akerman, Bella Thorne, and Fortune Feimster, and as a guest host on LEGENDARY for HBO MAX where Dominique’s appearance went viral. Dominique also released her autobiography THE TRANSEXUAL FROM TOBAGO and was seen on the reality TV model/fashion show STRUT for Oxygen.