Biography
Naima shot to stardom as the winner and fan favorite of the hit TV series "America's Next Top Model". She has been the face for international campaigns including Cover Girl, Samsung, Bandolier and Islander Swimwear. Naima's television performances include roles on America's Next Top Model, Project Runway, BAVO TV's Strut, The Tyra Banks Show, Veronica Mars, Miss Teen USA, Prime Time Emmy Awards, Sheer Cover Mineral Makeup Commercial, and as lead host for CBS's "Twiin".
As a model and talent, Naima has graced the cover of reputable fashion magazines such as Elegant, Vicious, Cover, B.L.A.C., Modern Salon, H Mag, Look Guatemala, Honey Be Natural, and Gia's Magazine. She has also been featured in editorial spreads in ELLE, SENSE Japan, FLESH Mexico, Revista 192, The Powder Room, Volition, WINK, ELUXE, OPPA!, Shambhala Sun, Teen People, Ambassador, Corduroy, Metro Pop, Fuego, Latina, INKED, Jewel, Style Line and Radaar Magazine.
Naima is also a vocalist, having been described as a powerhouse performer with an ethereal voice. Her fist solo release, "Hour Glass" charted number 1 on iTunes Charts Cayman Islands, and she toured it to sold out shows at LA Style Fashion Week, Reno Fashion Week and Santa Fe Fashion Week. She was also a featured vocalist performing on Valley King Record's release "Anywhere" alongside Cedric Bixler Zavala, Mike Watt, Christian Eric Beaulieu and Krist Novoselic. Naima recently released her second solo artist album "Dancing In Starlight", an electronic dance genre produced by David Ott and mastered by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner.
Part of Naima's drive as an artist is to inspire people worldwide. She authored the inspirational book "Model Behavior" in 2013 and toured it to colleges and universities around the United States. She has been a guest inspirational speaker and lead host of large scale fashion events including. Her public speaking reached an international platform with a TEDx TALK performance and a feature in SGI Peace & Value Creation Buddhist Organization's "Buddhist In America".
Naima has used her platform to help support causes that uplift the dignity of humanity including The Hospicio San Jose Guatemala, an organization dedicated to caring for orphans having been diagnosed with HIV; Runway 4 Peace Women's Empowerment Runway Klass; Sea Of Pearls "I am Hope" Campaign; Champions Against Bullying and world peace buddhist organization Soka Gakkai International, having been featured in its international publications 'The World Tribune' and 'Seikyo Shimbun Japan'.
For her work as such, Naima has received recognizable awards for exceptional achievement, outstanding leadership, and dedication to improving the quality of life such as: The Spirit of Detroit Award; The California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition; The Key of the City to Cincinnati, Ohio; The Dress for Success Red Hanger Award; and WNBA 'We are Women' Celebrity Ambassador. As a social influencer, Naima has received sponsorships from Nike Women, Vita CoCo, WNBA Los Angeles Sparks and Bartaile.
