MOVE TOGETHER:
Dancing Towards An Inclusive Community & Global Social Justice
Hollywood Television Editor, LA-based dancer & DJ SHAHEED QAASIM is leading the discussion, and the panelists are:
- RYAN FRANCOIS: Broadway, TV & Movie Dancer & Choreographer
- KIM NALLEY: Iconic Jazz & Blues Vocalist Featured at Lincoln Center, Ethnomusicologist, Dancer
- DAMON STONE: International Blues & Lindy Hop Instructor
- BRITTNEY CARAWAY: Dancer, Jazz vocalist, Event MC, past Miss Camp Hollywood
- ODYSSEUS BAILER: Dancer, Actor & Workshop Leader on African-American Cultural History of Lindy Hop
- MARIE N’DIAYE: Teacher at Herräng Dance Camp and Managing Director/Choreographer at HotCha Chorus Line
- AISHA QAASIM – CA-based Lindy Hopper, Attorney & Academic
- KENNETH SHIPP – St. Louis-Based Blues Dance Instructor, DJ, Dancer
- DR. ANDAIYE QAASIM – PhD in Ethnomusicology, Diversity & Anti-Racism Trainer
The purpose of the event is three-fold:
1. EDUCATION: To further educate people about the nature of racism in a “Racism 101” educational segment, presented by diversity and anti-racism trainer Dr. Andaiye Qaasim, who will deconstruct some of the prevailing myths and misconceptions about racism; give a brief overview of the historical context of racism in the U.S.; and help define terms like systemic, institutionalized racism, and white supremacy.
2. STORIES: To have a “real-talk” conversation, amplifying the voices of Black dancers, musicians, artists, and academics, who will share their experiences in dealing with personal experiences of racism, and their ideas about ways to make the global dance scene anti-racist, and more welcoming and inclusive.
3. ACTION: To establish a baseline Code of Conduct to help make the dance scene truly anti-racist by delineating what is appropriate and inappropriate, and to provide tools to empower us all to have more open conversations. We plan to leave everyone with clear action steps designed to create positive change in the global dance community, to help us move forward together as a community, and make this a sustainable movement.
Some of the tools we will provide as suggested actions steps are:
- an anti-racism pledge for dancers, musicians, and organizers.
- anti-racist and inclusive language and guidance for teaching contracts
- guidance on language or commitment statements organizations can incorporate in their mission/ vision statements
We believe that we as dancers can be an example of how to create positive change in our global community, and have a ripple effect on the world.
