Nicole Cardoza: From Tech and Wellness to the Magic of Illusion

Nicole Cardoza is a multifaceted entrepreneur who has transitioned from the worlds of technology, wellness, and non-profit leadership to the captivating art of illusion. Her journey reflects a commitment to equity, inclusion, and a desire to create spaces for joy, and wonder.

Early Career and Reclamation Ventures

Cardoza began her career in the tech industry, spending two years in the field before founding Reclamation Ventures . Reclamation Ventures serves as a consultancy studio, and is the home to Magically Me, an equity consulting firm, Learn, and the RV grant program . Prior to fully embracing magic, Cardoza established Wellemental, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing yoga and mindfulness into classrooms .

A Decade of Impact with Wellemental

As Executive Director of Wellemental for ten years, Cardoza reinvested over $2.5 million into community impact initiatives, working at the intersection of equity, inclusion, and wellness . This experience laid the groundwork for her later explorations into the power of performance and illusion.

The Leap to Magic

In the fall of 2019, Cardoza began performing street magic in Times Square, New York City, while simultaneously stepping down from her role at Wellemental . She found that transitioning from entrepreneurship to artistry required a shift in mindset, moving away from quantifiable returns on investment to embracing the open-ended nature of creative expression .

Finding Freedom and Joy in Performance

Magic offered Cardoza a sense of freedom and fun, allowing her to reconnect with a childhood passion. She describes the process of learning magic as akin to “taking apart a computer,” enjoying the challenge of understanding how illusions perform and building her own performances . As an introvert, she has learned to prioritize self-care and recharge after performances, embracing the extroverted demands of the art form.

Challenging Perceptions and Representation

Cardoza is conscious of the historical lack of representation in the magic community, particularly for Black performers. She draws inspiration from pioneers like Ellen E. Armstrong, one of the first Black women to tour her own magic show in the mid-1900s . She actively works to challenge the misconception that magic conflicts with religious or spiritual beliefs, emphasizing that her performances center positivity, connection, and joy .

Giving Back and Inspiring the Next Generation

Beyond performing, Cardoza is committed to giving back to the community. She provides magic kits for children and hosts family-friendly magic camps, fostering a sense of wonder and encouraging the next generation to explore the art of illusion . She believes that Black people have a deep understanding of the foundations of magic and deserve to feel a sense of belonging in the field.

The Core of Magic: Finding Your Own Spark

Cardoza often asks audiences, “What makes you magical?” She believes that everyone possesses a unique spark and encourages individuals to embrace their creativity and pursue their passions, even if it means becoming the inspiration they once sought .