Next person biography:
Born to an activist, jazz singing mother, Onika Day was raised in the historic town of Berkeley, California. Growing up, she was exposed to a world of art, activism, and entertainment, which sparked her passion to entertain. With her mother's influence, Onika developed a strong sense of social justice and a desire to use her talents to make a positive impact.
As a child, Onika was accepted to the Berkeley Arts Magnet School and secured a scholarship with the Bay Area Youth Theatre, where she honed her skills in acting, dance, and voice. She starred in several seasonal productions, including those with the Lady UFO's, a street dance troupe that included members of Digital Underground.
Onika's love for acting was balanced by her passion for sports, as she earned several local titles with the Women's Water Polo, Basketball, and Swim teams at Berkeley High School. Her big brother, Sway Calloway, noticed her talents and convinced her to record drops and create on-air characters during his radio days.
After working as a front desk attendant at a popular Oakland Health Club, Onika was offered a job with the Golden State Warriors and was on the road to securing a career in the NBA front offices. However, she couldn't shake off her "acting bug" and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream.
In Los Angeles, Onika worked various jobs, including being a personal chef for NBA players Nick Van Exel and Sam Cassell. She appeared in several music videos, including Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry On Their Own" and Tupac Shakur's "2 Live and Die in LA." She also sharpened her acting chops living in New York and immersing herself among the best in the television, film, and theater community.
Onika produced, co-directed, and starred in her first project, "Monika's Day," which she wrote alongside Boondock's co-writer Jason Van Veen. She has recently directed and co-written the psychological thriller short film "Expiration Date," starring Jaime Zevallos and Megan Quinn, which is touring the festival circuit.
Today, Onika divides her time between New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, developing a nighttime dramedy for television. With her diverse background and experiences, Onika is a talented and dynamic individual who is making a name for herself in the entertainment industry.
