Seeds of Change
Founded in the middle of a global pandemic and racial uprising, a weekly online Zoom call became a heart cry for the Black community that turned into an unstoppable momentum. Black Dance Change Makers was birthed from the injustices, fatalities, and harsh crimes against the Black community.
In our first year, Black Dance Change Makers hosted more than 100 events, connecting more than 100 Black dancers, including students, performers, educators, choreographers, directors, photographers, filmmakers, and writers.
We offered specialized clubs focusing on our interests, exclusive conversations and presentations from industry leaders, watch parties, improv jams, and monthly group challenges to help you meet your fitness and wellness goals. We even offered a mentorship program for young dancers age 12 - 18.
Conversations with Change Makers:
💃🏽 Move / Listen / Declare! with Dr. Charmaine Warren
⭐️ Mental Health and Embodied Artistry with J. Bouey
👑 Women's History Month Talk with the Leading Women of Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Melissa Young and Nycole Ray
🔑 What Inclusion and Equity Looks Like with Director of EMERGE125, Tiffany Rea-Fisher
🏳️⚧️ Trans Awareness with activist, NiiLee Grant
💪🏾 Advocating for Yourself with Nya Bowman
Workshops and Classes:
🪴 Houseplants Tips and Tricks with John Orduña
💵 Taxes with Tax Professional, Marci Blackman
🪒 Skin + Grooming with former Ailey Dancer, Glenn Allen Sims
🎶 An Evening discussing Dance and Music collaborations with D-Composed
✊🏾 Unions and Organizing with AGMA Business Rep, Teddy Watler
📈 Breaking Down the Stock Market with William Powerr
✋🏾 "The Window Sex Project” with SLMDances for International Anti-Harassment Week
🗺 Navigating the Industry with Talent Rep, Thomas Green
🧑🏾🍳 Walnut Tacos, Mushroom Strogonoff, Black Brownies, Mushrooms and Grits, and more with Akua Noni Parker of Ku's Kitchen, and Amira Johnson of Move & Munch
🏋🏾♂️ TAGs15 Morning Workout Classes with Tamisha Guy and the FIT Connection Club
Events and Turn Ups:
🗓 Monthly Meetings and Check-Ins
💕 Valograms with our Vibe Tribe Music Club
💆🏾 "Wash n' Watch" Party discussing the series Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker
🏳️🌈 "Queer Music Is Everywhere!" hosted by our resident DJ, Amarji King for PRIDE
Change Makers Mentorship Program
As part of Change Makers' commitment to giving back and uplifting our youth, we offered free, no strings attached, group mentorship for Black dancers ages 13 - 18.
Turning Page Book Club:
📚 More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
📖 The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
📕 Belly of the Beast by DaShaun Harrison
🙌🏽 Best Life Retreat 2021: Rechart, Recharge, Reignite!
One of the biggest highlights of the year was hosting our first ever Black Dance Change Makers Retreat. This year's theme encouraged us to live our “Best Life” by Recharting, Recharging, and Reigniting as we began a new season of reentering. We were thrilled to invite Sharron Lynn, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Amira Johnson, Kam Saunders, and DJ Amarji King as our headliners for this event!