Lesina Martin was born and raised in Detroit, MI. At age 10, she stepped onto the dance floor, and hasn’t left it since.  A graduate of Howard University with a B.A. in African Studies, she has lived in the Washington, DC area for over 20 years. As a student, Lesina was a co-founder of Nsaa Dance Ensemble, the campus’ first African diasporic arts organization. 

 

Her love for African music and dance has taken her to West Africa, South America and all across the United States.  She is one of few to have studied Mandeng songs through intensive study in Guinea. Currently, Lesina is a member of Farafina Kan performing company and co-director of the Junior company. After teaching dance outreach for 9 years, she entered the classroom as a Social Studies teacher.

 

Today, as a teaching artist, Lesina endeavors to continue the mission of working with educators to increase awareness of African cultural heritage.