Ayanna Berkshire is an American actress, originally from a remote island chain in Washington State. Her Father, singer Floyd Cruse, was an activist and social worker and former Black Panther. Her mother is a Realtor and runs a small organic farm. Ayanna was just three years old when she began performing on stage as a dancer and young actress. It was her love of theater and French film in particular, which led her to move to Paris when she was 18 years old. She found work as a nanny by day and photo stylist by night in the Paris fashion industry; all the while attending school, studying the French language.