IYA DARIA GRAHAM

Daria Graham, also known as Iyalorisa Daria, was born and raised in New York City’s South Bronx alongside her siblings, by their Black nationalist and community activist mother. She first got into West African dance as a young adult while working at the Minisink Townhouse, where the Chuck Davis Dance Company was based. She instantly connected with African dance and soon found herself dancing with several professional companies. It was through these experiences and friendships that she discovered “The Religion” and became a priest of Obatala in November 1988.

Known affectionately as “Iya Daria,” she co-founded and helped shape Ijo Orisa, a bi-monthly gathering that brought together NYC’s Orisha community from the late '90s to the early 2000s. She's been an active member of Omo Obatala Egbe for many years and serves as Iyalorisa to both initiated priests and those who are still on their journey.

Daria holds a degree in Political Science and currently works as an education administrator in the New York City Public Schools. She’s also a proud mom to her daughter, Adenike, a priest of Oshun. Daria now lives in Queens, NY, with her husband, “Baba Larry” Washington, who is a priest of Ogun.