About Us

Our Story

The Royal Diamond Family Inc.

Before The Royal Diamond Family Inc., there were eight girls, a young coach, and the beginning of something much bigger.

For Founder and Executive Director Danaya Hamilton, dance and sports were a safe space throughout her childhood. In 2012, community service in Brooklyn gave her the opportunity to coach eight young girls. That first team, NSC — No Self Control, quickly grew as Ms. Hamilton learned to channel the girls’ energy and personalities through discipline, performance, and teamwork. What began with eight girls eventually reached more than 100 boys and girls.

Over the years, Ms. Hamilton continued building programs for young people. NSC became SWAT — Steppers With Attitude and Talent, followed by Black Diamonds at Wingate High School, a competitive college team at Medgar Evers College, Princess Cut at P.S. 161, and Flawless Diamonds in Brownsville.

Flawless Diamonds marked a defining moment. While recovering from a fully ruptured Achilles tendon, Ms. Hamilton coached an inexperienced team entirely from a seated position. At their first competition, they won first place—a reflection of the perseverance, discipline, resilience, and teamwork that continue to define the program.

In 2020, after nearly a decade of coaching and seeing how deeply young people needed connection and community during the pandemic, Ms. Hamilton founded The Royal Diamond Family Inc. around a mission of mentorship, development, and belonging.

Today, our Brooklyn-based program trains girls in dance and step, welcoming both experienced performers and beginners. Our teams have earned numerous titles and Grand Champion honors, but our purpose extends far beyond competition. We use the performing arts to teach confidence, accountability, leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and resilience.

The Royal Diamond Family is a place where coaches become mentors, teammates become sisters, and families become community. That impact continues as former dancers return as coaches, mentors, volunteers, and supporters, pouring into the next generation.

From eight girls to more than 100 young people, every chapter has carried the same purpose: to meet children where they are, help them discover who they can become, and give them the training, mentorship, discipline, and community to get there.

We came together through dance and step. We became champions through hard work. We became family through everything in between.

“Turn your wounds into Wisdom” — Oprah