Willi Ninja: Google Celebrates 'Godfather Of Voguing' With Special ...

Willi Ninja was born in 1961 and grew up in Flushing, Queens. With his hard work, introducing new techniques and skills, he became the master of voguing, a dance form that is a combination of mime, and fashion poses with intricate, and martial arts-like movements. 

The dance form emerged from the Harlem ballroom scene, which was a safe space founded by LGBTQ+ Black and Latino folks to celebrate self expression and togetherness.

The "Godfather of Voguing" co-founded his very own community called the House of Ninja in 1982, and continued to provide support and guidance for his house members even after he became famous. 

Willi was prominently featured in the 1990 documentary, Paris Is Burning, where his unique dance style was showcased on the big screen. The film was a big success and exposed Willi’s work to a wider audience.

When Willi wasn’t dancing, he was a powerful advocate for his community. One of the first to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention at drag balls, Willi played a pivotal role in helping to reduce stigma surrounding the disease.