Cerissa LaToi McKinnis is a proud military child whose journey has taken her all over the country, but San Antonio, Texas, has long been home. Both of her parents and her bonus parents served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, and after being stationed at Randolph Air Force Base, her mother decided to plant roots in the Alamo City during Cerissa’s middle and high school years. A graduate of Randolph High School, Cerissa was a member of the school’s dance team—where she first discovered her love for rhythm, movement, and the joy of shared creativity. After high school, Cerissa began her college journey at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, but answered a clear calling to become an interior designer and transferred to the Art Institute of Atlanta in 2001. She graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design and has since built a thriving, 20+ year career in the field. For the past 15 years, she has led her own design business in San Antonio, and for the last decade, she’s been at the helm of Industrious Interiors—a firm specializing in luxury kitchen and bathroom remodeling, whole-home renovations, and curated décor. Cerissa’s expertise extends beyond aesthetics. She is deeply involved in the technical aspects of design, including architectural drafting and close collaboration with tradespeople, ensuring that each project is both beautiful and meticulously executed. In addition to her design work, Cerissa is the author of Navigating the Liminal Places, a faith-based guide to embracing life’s transitions with courage and trust. She also channels her passion for community and transformation through Abundant Interior Designer, her coaching business for Christian interior designers. Cerissa equips faith-driven creatives to build purposeful, profitable businesses without losing sight of who they are and Who they serve. She believes that interior design has a ripple effect, shaping not just individual homes but families, communities, and the culture at large. Renaissance Dancing with the Stars is more than just a performance for Cerissa—it’s a return to an old love. She’s thrilled to reconnect with her dance roots and contribute to a cause that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and community.