Kevin Omni

Kevin Omni, born Kevin Burrus, is an LGBTQ activist and mentor, speaker, and film producer. He is a pioneer icon in the Ballroom community. He served as an assistant director for How Do I Look. He founded the House of Omni in 1979.

Kevin provided family support to many in ball culture

The house system that underpins the Ballroom community provides a social network for many LGBTQ people of color, including youths, who have been marginalised for their sexuality or artwork. Kevin has served as both house mother and father to many, who were part of the House of Omni, serving as their mentor.

Starring in How Do I Look

A 3-time Hall of Fame winner and a Ballroom historian, Kevin has served as a mentor for How Do I Look director, Wolfgang Busch. He also served as documentary advisor about the Ballroom scene.

In 1989, legendary bay Black club promoter Mike Stone introduced Wolfgang to Kevin, and that was how Wolfgang was introduced to the Ballroom community. After the exploitation film Paris is Burning was released, the Ballroom community allowed no more cameras and videos, because of the manipulation for profit by filmmaker Jeannie Livingston, according to Ballroom icons and historians.

Kevin gave Wolfgang access and protection to freely videotape the balls starting in 1995. Over time, Kevin and Wolfgang formed a connection rooted in activism, the documentation of history, and serving as educators. Kevin played a huge role in making How Do I Look possible.

Kevin and Wolfgang together attended many screenings with lectures and live performances at the most prestigious universities across the United States and in Europe, including in Amsterdam. Kevin educated many Ballroom children that became book publishers and commercial TV producers.

Kevin is like a brother from another mother to Wolfgang, and they have been best friends ever since.

More about How Do I Look

Kevin Omni published Harlem Ballroom History Timeline, starred in How Do I Look, an independent vogue (dance) documentary released in 2006 that gives us a cinematic look at some of the legends, icons, and members of ballroom community that influenced pop culture around the world.