OUR VISION, OUR MISSION, OUR VALUES
The Vision (“In our wildest dreams…”)
The whole world will know the Lindy Hop!
They will know that the Lindy Hop is a partnered social dance popularised at the Savoy Ballroom and that it originated within Harlem’s African American community during the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Frankie Manning and the originators of the Lindy Hop will be well known to dancers and non-dancers everywhere. The Black history, culture, and values of Lindy Hop and related authentic jazz dances will be preserved and shared.
Lindy Hop will be danced all over the world to live big band music.
Black Lindy Hoppers will be welcomed, valued, well respected, and well represented in the global Lindy Hop community. They will play a central role in the ongoing preservation, continuation, and evolution of this cultural art form.
Everywhere that Lindy Hop is danced, on the dance floors and off, people of diverse backgrounds will treat each other with respect, care, and warmth. The Lindy Hop community will create spaces free from all forms of systematic oppression including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, ageism, genderism, ableism, and homophobia.
Frankie Manning’s vision of the Lindy Hop as a catalyst for equitable and positive change, whether personal or societal, will be realized.
The Mission
The mission of the Frankie Manning Foundation is to carry on the work and the spirit of Frankie Manning in spreading the culture and joy of the Lindy Hop.
In order to fulfill its mission, the foundation focuses on the following core pillars:
1. Ensuring the Stories of Frankie Manning and the Savoy Ballroom Are Appropriately Preserved and Presented
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Presentations of panel discussions on Frankie Manning and the Savoy Ballroom
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Preservation of Frankie’s personal collection of historically significant memorabilia and artifacts in research institutions, cultural centers, and libraries
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Establishment and maintenance of video archives
2. Building, Connecting, and Supporting the Lindy Hop Community
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Supporting programs for youth, Black dancers, international dancers, and developing communities
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Raising funds for our elders and community needs
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Hosting, co-hosting, and supporting events and celebrations
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Presenting panels, talks, and media
3. Preserving and Presenting the Full History of the Lindy Hop
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Supporting cultural and academic research
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Supporting documentary films, articles, and books
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Preserving memorabilia
The Values
In accordance with Manning’s own values, and those of the Savoy Ballroom where the dance got its start, the Foundation seeks to promote projects which are grounded in unity and collaboration, and which enable people of all different backgrounds to participate in this joyous dance.
Like Frankie Manning himself, we value:
- Having fun dancing the Lindy hop
- Historic authenticity in Lindy hop dancing and music
- Improvisation and continued innovation
- Close relationship between the music and the dance
- Maintaining a true community among dancers
- Mutual respect and cooperation
- Inclusivity (diverse backgrounds: geographic, ethnic, socio-economic, age, ability, LGBTQ, gender roles, etc.)
- Outreach and welcome to newcomers
- Excellence, which can be encouraged through friendly competition
