Dancing Tonight with the Stars!

Jason Thomas

a native of Columbus, Ohio, a former Marine Sergeant and our hometown 9-11 Hero. Thomas loves hip hop dancing, because he can relate to the music and it’s easy to dance to.

His favorite musical era is the late 80’s and early 90’s because everyone seemed to enjoy it. Jason has had the opportunity to meet his favorite artist LL Cool J and wouldn’t mind dancing with Beyonce’.

TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney

The CEO/Publisher of The Women’s Book. Her favorite music artist is Michael Jackson and her one wish is for him to teach her how to moon-walk the right way.

Even though TaKeysha doesn’t know many of the popular dances, she loves to line dance. As dance has evolved over the years, TaKeysha says, “one thing has remained the same, anyone can do it, just let loose and do whatever feels good to you.”

Judge Laurel Beatty

A native of Columbus, Ohio and a Judge for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Judge Beatty loves to salsa dance, but knows that Michael Jackson is the greatest dancer of all times. Judge Beatty’s favorite music era is the 70's and her favorite music artist is Stevie Wonder. If she could meet Stevie Wonder she would ask him to finish this sentence, "If I knew then what I know now, I would…" And if she ever had the chance to meet Michael Jackson she would have asked him to teach her how to moonwalk!

Wally Bakare

Wally Bakare is the Vice President of Operations with Time Warner Cable. He is a native of Nigeria and has been a resident of Columbus, Ohio for 2 years. Wally was recently recognized as Business First’s 40 under 40. He really enjoys entertainment and when it comes to dancing he can’t help, but to move with the music.

Vicki Bowen Hewes

Executive Director of Dress for Success Columbus, loves to dance because it is a wonderful expression of self and freedom. She enjoys various styles of dance ranging from hip-hop to ballroom dancing.

Vicki loves music from late 80’s and early 90’s, everything from Madonna to Biggie (Notorious BIG). Since 2007, Kanye West has been her favorite music artist, because of his unique music and fashion style. If she could meet Kanye she would tell him how much she admires his honesty.

Oyauma Garrison

AVP of Marketing for Nationwide Insurance, loves Hip-Hop and Soul dancing because it’s fun, expressive, and keeps him in shape. When thinking about the evolution of dance, he says, “Dance has evolved into an expression of self-brand.”

Oyauma’s favorite music era is the 80’s and 90’s because of groups like Run DMC and LL Cool J, but his favorite music artist is Bill Withers for composing “Lean On Me.” If he had the chance, Oyauma would ask Bill Withers, “In one word, describe what you want listeners 40 years from now to think about when they hear your song?”

Yusuf Sadiq

Yusuf Sadiq is the owner of Y Sadiq Diamond located in downtown Columbus. Yusuf loves to Merengue, and enjoyed the music of the 80's and early 90's, because it reflected the free spirit in his life. His favorite vocalist of all time is Prince and his favorite musician is David Sanborn.

Monica Day

Monica Day is a native of Columbus, Ohio, the 2008 Miss Ohio USA, and a broadcaster on NBC 4. Monica admits that even though she love ballroom dancing, she can’t do any of the dances. She loves the music of the late 60’s and early 70’s and has a laundry list of favorite music artist from Ella Fitzgerald to Michael Jackson. When it comes to the evolution of dance, Monica said, “It all comes back to the way music makes you feel and how you feel the music.”

Toni Teague

Toni Teague is the Manager for Community Education and Engagement for the Office of Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce and the CEO of Tapestry Presentations. Toni’s favorite style of dance is hip-hop because no matter your level of talent or mobility, you can participate. She appreciates how styles of dance like ballroom, line dancing, clogging, salsa, ballet, etc. continue to uphold the fundamentals of the genre while creating new expressions. Toni’s favorite artist is Michael Jackson and she would love for Earth Wind & Fire to perform at her wedding reception.