I didn’t know what this was going to be when I started it. It began as a request/commission for a Black dancer; for Black dance as a celebration of our culture. As an artist, it’s typical to be commissioned to create work but this one was different and especially timely. I had felt myself retreating much like the sun and the warmth this time of year but, this forced me to reemerge.

​

Proverbs 18:16 says my ‘gift will make room’ for me or it ‘opens the way for the giver’. My art has saved me many a time and so I knew that this one was for me. I moved where my body and spirit said to move. I moved through my current injury and in spite of it, I offered up myself.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

I think Black culture is hard to define. We call it ‘Black’ as a way to seem unified because we call ourselves ‘Black’ - those of us of the African diaspora not knowing our specific roots. However, it is a conundrum because Black people are not a monolith and we do not want to be seen as such. So I don’t know if this is Black culture or Black dance but, I do know that this is the way that my Black body moves, interprets and emotes.

​

I celebrate my expression and I invite you to celebrate with me.

​