What do you get when you cross a firecracker with a nuclear bomb? The answer would be in the form of Akynos Shekera – the 24-year-old New Yorker with the sass and spunk of a young starlet in the making. This woman is not your traditional men’s magazine staple. Truly an original, Ms. Akynos, has been hitting up the New York burlesque scene since the early part of this year. And ever vigil on setting herself apart from the rest of the pack, this holder of an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science has taken her sexually intuitive and open mind to the next level. With this future sexologist ready to take over the scene, it’s safe to say that Akynos Shekera is truly one in a million.

Starting up her own site – Akynos.com and tying it into her MySpace page – has allowed Ms. Shekera to promote sex in a uniquely educational way. With personally written articles and “toy” reviews – her page provides an edutaining experience. The wild woman with the wild hair [and some would say ways, too…] sits down with Beauty & Brains as she talks about the differences between burlesque and stripping, breaks down the soundtrack to her sex life and the burgeoning sexologist explains who her ideal study partner would be!

B&B: You’re actively trying to get your name out there in the New York burlesque scene. How’s that coming along?
AS: I have been doing burlesque [at the time of the interview] for about… three/four months, now. I’ve been to a couple of places, so far, but I am not out there, yet. But maybe… maybe by next year, I’ll be the shit, hopefully!

B&B: What made you take that route as opposed to being in the urban modeling scene like a Melyssa Ford or a Buffie the Body?
AS: There are too many bitches modeling. I like to dance and create stuff. There aren’t enough Black girls in the burlesque scene. So, I’m trying to get that slot that’s open for the Black girl. There are a few of us out there, but I’m trying to be the one. It’s a little bit easier to get there.

B&B: What’s the difference between burlesque dancers versus strippers?
AS: In burlesque, you can do anything; you can take any background that you’re experienced in and make it into a concert. Whether it’s acting, ballet, whatever – you can make that into an entertaining show. Stripping is a little less formal. You’re trying to entice the people with that. I’m trying to find a way to explain it, but with burlesque you can put on a crazy show and stripping is not that. With stripping, it’s like you’re taking off your clothes for money, in front of men and that’s it.

B&B: With everyone saying that the kiddies are being influenced by all things sex – do you think that your site, Akynos.com, is more informative and educational? Or do you think it’s just a place for the horny guys to go to?
AS: My website is for the thinking person. It’s not just about sex. I do the sex articles to try to educate people on sex and relationships. Then, there are pictures of me half naked, so you can get your rocks off, but if you want to get educated a little bit, too, then come to my site. It’s not all about the sex.

B&B: Sex talk aside – what is one frequent misconception that people have about you?
AS: Every time I see this question asked in interviews, I read all these girls answering it the same, stupid-ass way, “That I’m not a slut and that I’m not smart.” [Laughs] People are going to think that regardless of who you are. But a misconception about me – I’m trying to think back to my days on the message board and the problems I had with guys on there – but it may sound vain, but, wait… let me come back to that one…

B&B: …Okay. While people are probably going to call you all sorts of derogatory names due to the work you do – you also have a degree in Computer Science. When faced with adversity or opposition – how do you handle it?
AS: I looked at the site very briefly, but I’m familiar with people online calling people names. I don’t care, I’ll cuss anyone out. I have no problem saying to anyone, “Kiss my ass!” What?! Just because I have a website, it doesn’t mean that I can’t cuss you out? No! I mean if I don’t think that I’m the shit, who will? I just handle it. I really don’t get into too many situations – the things that I should be doing, I haven’t done them, yet. For instance, I try to get into a magazine and they shut me down, then I’m going to stalk them until I get into it. I just keep trying. I don’t give a damn [laughs]!

B&B: Now, you also want to get a degree in Sexology. What type of classes would you have to take to get it?
AS: I don’t even know what the hell they offer. I looked at this school in California, to see what classes were offered and all them were based on human behavior. I have books on the phallus and I read different people’s books like Osho – the Indian guru – and these psychology classes. Continued on page 2 »