The mission of the Frankie Manning Foundation is to carry on the work and spirit of Frankie Manning in spreading the culture and joy of Lindy hop. Here are a few of our accomplishments in recent years:
We sponsored Swing With Us NYC to host World Lindy Hop Day at the Alhambra Ballroom as part of the International Lindy Hop Championships’ first-ever time being held in New York City.
We provided funding through our Scholars program for ten Scholars from around the world to attend Lindy hop programs and events in New York, Massachusetts, California, France, Sweden, Spain, and more.
We supported Uganda Swings in their mission to spread Lindy hop in Uganda.
We conducted tours of Woodlawn Cemetery, focusing on Frankie’s and Norma’s gravesites, along with those of nearby jazz musicians.
At the onset of the pandemic we ran a program of broad financial support for teachers of Lindy hop worldwide who were impacted by the quarantine.
During the pandemic we supported the Norma Miller tombstone unveiling ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
In 2023 we will continue our Scholars Program. We are also piloting a new initiative for former Scholars who want to collaborate with community-based dance organizations in Black communities. Stay tuned to our social media for the Scholars Program application date.
We will also continue to make progress on cataloging Frankie’s memorabilia (photos, news clippings, programs, videos, etc.) with the goal of making these materials accessible to researchers and the public in the near future.
All of this could not happen without support and donations from the global Lindy hop community. Please consider making a donation today to the Frankie Manning Foundation at https://www.frankiemanningfoundation.org/support-fmf/
Thank you! And wishing Lindy hoppers everywhere a happy and healthy 2023!
Board of Directors, The Frankie Manning Foundation