History
DANCING WHILE BLACK is an artist-led initiative that supports the diverse work of Black dance artists by cultivating platforms for process, performance, dialogue and documentation. We center the voices of black dance artists, providing opportunities to self-determine the languages and lenses that define our work. Since 2012, DWB has supported 22 emerging Black artists as Fellows, incubated more than two dozen works and held countless convenings for folx to share, connect and simply be..
Dancing While Black operates at the intersection of aesthetics and organizing. Central to the work is building partnerships – with presenters, organizers, curators and artists. In our first five years, Dancing While Black established ongoing partnerships with BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, NYU’s Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics, the Human Rights Project at the Urban Justice Center, PURPOSE Productions, Urban Bush Women and Junebug Productions.
Our partnerships are rooted in a mutual commitment to equity and serving the needs and visions of artists. In a field that encourages individualism, our work prioritizes community building. We celebrate that there is a momentum building around shifting the dance landscape, and we are committed to help shepherd these efforts. Our commitment to equity requires our solidarity with others who are also doing the work.
Process
“Dancing While Black is…
an occupational hazard, an unrequested accolade and an immense responsibility.
– Christal Brown
Can't be with us in person? Join the Dialogue online.
Dancing has taught me so much…….
⚫️ How to be with people.
⚫️How to put my body in places of curiosity.
⚫️How to ignore my fear.
⚫️How to move with intention.
⚫️And how to improvise.
When life gives you a set of circumstances,synthesis and improvisation work to create your reality.
Such an honor to be a part of #dancingwhileblack with angelaspulse baadbronx
Improvising with nialovedance and joydances8 was a gift 🙏🏾❤️💪🏾
May 31
Celebrating big ‘tings a come this fall! Back in process with MOPDC’s sol_1215 well_banne tyronebevans Keep your pulse to the ground for updates later this summer 🌟
🎶 maliangafaraim
ID: black and white burnt out like video of Solana, Brittany and Tyrone, fly BIPOC dancers in a group twerking using all the levels. Leg in the air, hands to the floor, werking it out with joy! Tyrone is wearing all black, Solana has a striped shirt on and dark pants, Brittany has a light shirt on and patterned pants. They all have masks on.
#MOPDC #DanceIsActivism #DanceItOut #DancingWhileBlack #BlackJoy
May 28
Before it was Hip hop, these elders were Dancing While Black, inspiring generations to find their power of improvising and shifting with the times. I am a descendant.
Thank you angelaspulse for inviting me to participate in your 10 year anniversary at baadbronx
The team, the drummer, the panelists, the audience and the Dance Luminaries that I got to share the stage with were all part of an affirming experience.
Respect to the Astral Dance Captains Diane McIntyre and Hank Smith pictured above with me.
There`s alot of chaos out here, but we see us at the jam-- past present future.
#howWeThrive
#DancingWhileBlack
#timetravel
#release
#touching
#dancegenerations
#gobeyond
May 15
How has improvisation been a technology for Black thriving?
On SAT May 13, join DWB at @baadbronx for a day of improvisation with a panel of dance leaders, a performance by Black dance improvisers, and a dance party!
Register to dance with us. Link in bio
#DWB10 #DancingWhileBlack #DWBHOWWEDO #DWBHOWWEBUILD #DWBHOWWETHRIVE #Celebration
May 12
It`s just different...🤷♂️.#iykyk keish_keishb Such a joy connecting to the music with you.
I just love this dance so much. It reminds me of the days when I used to go to reggae/soca parties when I was younger. Yes, there were "dancers" there, but the focus was always about connecting with the music and connecting with your partner.
Shout out to keish_keishb - a brilliant dancer, with an equally brilliant energy.
Most importantly, we didn`t have to talk about it. No talk of style, technique, or "how do we dance to this music". The dj was playing the music, I said "let`s dance", and we danced.
She just...got it. So many things to say... ❤️ 💙 💜
Make sure you follow her!
Song: Gyal You A Party Animal
Artist: charlytrelawnyblack
Dancers: keish_keishb lumyrd
T-shirt: "Melanin" fadayzdesignz
Location: world_dance_festival visitbmore
orioles
📹: Shout out to desuenodance for filming! (I`m coming back for our video 😉 ).
Representation matters. #ShareAQueeen
#melanin theblckertheberry #salsa #soca #on2 onewhinecansavealife #whine #dancelife #waistline #brownskin #dancingwhileblack #shareaqueen
May 12
TODAY!
Join DWB on Zoom for a conversation amongst artists who are shepherding Black dance & performance hubs across the US and lifting up Black dance voices.
You still have time to register. Link in bio!
#AngelasPulse #AP #DWB10 #blackcommunities #LOVE #dancingwhileblack #DWB10 #DancingWhileBlack #DWBHOWWEDO #DWBHOWWEBUILD #DWBHOWWETHRIVE #Celebration
May 11
Join us via zoom today!!
Posted withregram • angelaspulse Dancing While Black HOW WE BUILD • Moving Forward Together
On thursday May 11, join DWB on Zoom for a conversation amongst artists who are shepherding Black dance & performance hubs across the US and lifting up Black dance voices. Hosted by artist-organizer Shani Jamila, guest panelists include: Vershawn Sanders-Ward • Red Clay Dance / Thomas DeFrantz • Collegium for African Diaspora Dance / Ebony Noelle Golden • Spirit House / and Kendra Kimbrough Barnes • The Black Choreographers Festival.
Register to join the conversation. Link in bio.
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Image description: Photo From DWB: DWB Collective(s) Action, 2014. Photo Credit: Shani Jamila
Image Description: A woman member of DWB Collective is swirling towards the camera in a straw hat with a colorful scarf in their hair, wearing a white sleeveless button down top and patterned red skirt.
In the top left corner of the image is white text “Dancing While Black.” Next, white text reads, “PRESENT.”
#AngelasPulse #AP #DWB10 #blackcommunities #LOVE #dancingwhileblack #DWB10 #DancingWhileBlack #DWBHOWWEDO #DWBHOWWEBUILD #DWBHOWWETHRIVE #Celebration
May 11
#SWIPE May 10th - 13th Dancing While Black | SANKOFA: HOW WE DO • HOW WE BUILD • HOW WE THRIVE Learn more & register to join at: https://angelaspulse.org/
Join AngelasPulse, co-founded by UBW Company Alum & CCI Fellow Paloma McGregor, for the 10th Anniversary celebration of #DancingWhileBlack. This week of events will honor the past, present and future of Dancing While Black.
On Wed, 5/10 | 7 PM EST: A DWB Watch Party (ON ZOOM)
Hosted by UBW CCI Fellow Stephanie McKee Featuring CCI Fellow nia love and SLI Alum Onye Ozuzu, A virtual watch party looking back on DWB: On Fertile Ground in New Orleans
On Thurs, 5/11 | 7 PM EST: Moving Forward Together (ON ZOOM)
A conversation amongst Vershawn Sanders-Ward, Thomas DeFrantz, Ebony Noelle Golden, and Kendra Kimbrough Barnes hosted by artist-organizer and SLI Alum Shani Jamila in uplifting Black dance voices across the U.S.
On Sat, 5/13 | 12:30 PM EST: Performing the Beyond (IN PERSON at BAAD!)
A day celebrating improvisation featuring a stellar lineup of Black dance leaders and performers including #UBWfamily Melanie George, Millicent Johnnie, Aimee Cox, Dianne McIntyre, Marlies Yearby, nia love, Lacina Coulibaly, and Christal Brown.
#DancingWhileBlack #AngelasPulse #UBWfamily
May 10
[PHOTO CREDITS]Header Image: Jaimé Dzandu, photo by Julia Wang | Lisandra Ramos writing on wall from DANCING WHILE BLACK: This Body Knows Freedom by Whitney Browne Photography | Process Photo: Ebony Noelle Golden and Sydnie L. Mosley surrounded by Story Circle participants by Erik Carter | Photo of Paloma McGregor by Erik Carter | [DWB Is Gallery] Photo of folks gathered in circle with person on floor from Dancing While Black: On Fertile Ground at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans, February 2016 by Melisa Cardona | Photo of smiling folks in chairs from DANCING WHILE BLACK: This Body Knows Freedom by Whitney Browne Photography | Photo of dancers in suits: Brother(hood) Dance!, ’15-’16 DWB Fellows Orlando J. Hunter and Ricarrdo Valentine, from DWB: Masculinities Re/born by Charles R Berenguer Jr.