Reina CÁMO Basquiat Cemi’no (she/they)—known professionally as LA REINA TAÍNA—is a visionary multidisciplinary artist, strategist, and entrepreneur whose life's work exemplifies creativity as survival, innovation, and market disruption. As the founder and CEO of LA REINA TAÍNA, LLC, Ms. Cemi’no brings over a decade of cross-sector experience spanning music production, filmmaking, choreography, scholarship, and nonprofit leadership. She has led the creation, execution, and monetization of over 30 original songs, multiple music videos, theatrical performances, and brand campaigns—all while building a growing multimedia enterprise from the ground up. Ms. Cemi’no isn’t simply in the business of art; she is architecting a new creative economy rooted in narrative sovereignty, ancestral intelligence, and social innovation.

The name Cemi’no carries profound significance in Taíno culture. A cemí (or zemi) is both a deity or ancestral spirit and the physical object that embodies this spirit, serving as a conduit between the human and divine realms. These sacred entities were central to Taíno spirituality, representing gods, ancestors, and natural forces. The suffix -no denotes plurality, making Cemi’no a term that encompasses a collective of deities or spirits. By adopting this name, Ms. Cemi’no positions herself as a living embodiment of her ancestors' resilience and creativity, channeling their wisdom into every facet of her work. This spiritual lineage informs the mission and vision of LA REINA TAÍNA, LLC, manifesting in performances, client services, and research initiatives that honor and extend the legacy of the Taíno people.

A Brown University graduate and former Ivy League dance director, Ms. Cemi’no has independently conceptualized and executed interdisciplinary projects that blend sound, movement, scholarship, and digital media. Her standout performances—like C.T.C. and The Autopsy of Joice Heth—have established her as a solo performance powerhouse. Each production she creates is fully self-managed: she directs, choreographs, designs, writes, performs, and markets her work end-to-end. On the research and strategy front, she is the originator of Afro-Jotería Studies, a groundbreaking academic and pedagogical framework that centers the lived experiences of Afro-Latinx and Afro-Indigenous Queer and Trans communities. As host of the VAMOS HABLAR INGLÉS podcast and a sought-after workshop facilitator, she is defining new standards for cultural R&D in both public and corporate spaces.

Ms. Cemi’no's entrepreneurial credentials are not theoretical—they are tested. As the founder and former Executive Director of LOGRO, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she built and scaled a youth-centered advocacy platform that engaged over 150 team members, empowered 50+ Queer students of color, and raised over $10,000 in grassroots funding. Recognized by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and organizations like Make the Road New Jersey, her civic and economic impact is measurable. What makes Ms. Cemi’no irresistible to investors isn’t just her talent—it’s her traction. She builds audiences, drives engagement, closes the loop between creative output and community impact, and monetizes her vision without compromising her values. She is a brand, a movement, and a market in herself.

Support Ms. Cemi’no in moving to the Dominican Republic so that she may attend CHAVÓN’s three-year film program: GoFundMe