R-Na’imah Khaanam
Dance
R-Na’imah Khaanam is a multifaceted artist who began dancing at an early age and hasn’t stopped moving since. Arts in education has included Columbia College, Human Rhythm Project, Forward Momentum Chicago, After School Matters, MOYA, Storywurx, GEAR UP, Wellness4Eery1, Changing Worlds, Chicago State University, CPS (Chicago Public Schools), CSTN, Old Town School of Folk Music, UIC Charter Schools, Bite Size Ensemble, Morris Brown College, Archdiocese school’s and Chicago Park Districts to name a few. Cultural & social arts studies include traditional African Dance, Dunham Technique and Baker’s Technique - West Indian Folk and ContemporaryBallet and Hip Hop.
Ms. Bey has worked as both staff and artist at K-12 schools and universities. Better known as “Mama Ra and Ms. Bey'' to youth & community, during 2007 - 2011 she was Community School Site Manager with the Jane Addams Hull House Association. There she provided free arts / sports/ academic programs and other opportunities (certifications) to elementary / high school students, parents, community members and established partnerships with community organizations throughout Chicago’s north side. Alongside programming, she simultaneously formed organizations, choreographed works and instructed dance and physical fitness classes to members of the Uptown community. Later, she would add more to the table mixing her passion for Arts Education with media, boxing and culinary arts.
Master Chef Chicago 2016 and 2018 auditions was a bang! Khaanam stirred it up, cooking her way to the 2nd round both times. Now as “Food Stylist,” she conducts food preparation & lecture classes (Vegan, Vegetarian, Jamaican/Ital & African cuisines). She has participated in several featured films and numerous TV show episodes, films and network productions. Concluding, Khaanam instructs Dance Fitness, African & West Indian Dance styles, Creative Movement, trains in boxing and partook in the Chicago Golden Gloves 2015 Boxing Tournament WBD. In September 2016, she was welcomed to the USA Boxing Coaches and Communications/PR Commision and in March 2018 marked her 1st amateur fight at the Chicago Golden Gloves, Masters Division. She is a Level 1 coach, judges amateur fights around Chicago and is currently completing her USA Boxing Official Licenses. For 2 years she sat on a food committee for post surgery children at a prestigious hospital in Chicago. In 2022 she partook in the Chicago Bulls MGP Sports Marketing cohort.
She currently operates an independently owned creative arts company, and is a part time member of the West Indian Dance Company Theater.
Though she’s been an avid writer/blogger over the years, aka Khaanam RaSavoy (pin name) her current literary work (story) “Bopping at the Savoy” was published in the Chicago Public Library’s 2023 (and 2024) of the Budlong Woods Writers book, “Dream Hope Aspiration Ambition.” Currently, she’s completing her children’s book soon to be released. Educating, public speaking and interviewing brings her joy. Khaanam is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago where she was teaching staff for over 5yrs.
