AKIRA ARMSTRONG

2022 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD HONOREE

Pretty BIG Movement CEO and Founder Akira Armstrong is a trail blazing pioneer with a big heart and an even BIGGER vision. The Bronx native hold credits including Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Lizzo, Salt-N-PEPA, SWV, Jennifer Hudson, Jasmine Sullivan, Daddy Yankee, Big Freedia, Lip Sync Battle, Black Girls Rock, and you've probably seen her most recently tearing the stage up the streets in Manhattan for Vogue Ma Lizzo at this years 2019 MTV VMAS. One of Armstrong’s major highlights within her career was kicking some denim's ass in Canadian plus brand Pennington's commercial for ad campaign "I Wont Compromise." Akira established the house of full figured, voluptuous, talented and otherwise overlooked dancers in 2008. She sought out the opportunity to create a path and platform all her own which would cultivate empowerment for women of the unorthodox industry look. With the release of Condé Nas "The Scene: Breaking Stereotypes" the Movement became an international household name, with +10 million views overnight! Disrupting the waves of mainstream media, her company splashed into the hands of Lane Bryant, Rome Italy’s syndicated television show “Amici”, Touring in Seoul Korea, Harry Connick Jr., images splattered on Vouge Taiwan, Huffington Post, People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, The Great BIG Story, and MIC.com. The clan was mote so recently featured as dancers for Janet Jackson and Daddy Yankee hit single “Made For Now,” expanding their market to the LGBT community as well as breaking the stereotypes of being plus-size dancers on Paramount Networks hit show Lip Sync Battle. 

 

Besides her industry work, Akira gives back to the community through her work as a teaching artist. Armstrong has also curated an Apprenticeship Intensive dance training program geared to cultivate non-professional full-figured/Plus-sized women and men to prepare for mainstream media platforms. 

The workshops are opened to all women & men of different shapes and sizes with a no-judgement zone safe space. 

 

In early January 2022, Akira’s 15 years of consistent hard work had finally paid off. John Legends production Get Lifted along with MACRO announced the HBO Max Warner Brothers movie debut via social media, Hollywood Reporter and countless other notable articles on the making of Pretty BIG Movement the movie. Set to be directed by Tina Mabry. 

 

Currently, Akira is looking to expand her company in different cities and countries globally all while opening up a Pretty BIG teen division to shape and mold young adults for their professional future. 

Armstrong's hard work, dedication and passion are evident in all of her companies accomplishments and we rest assured knowing there is much more for her to cook up.