Degree: Master of Library Science with specialization in Children's and Young Adult Services
Position: African American Dance Company Road Manager for 3 years
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Q: What have you loved most about being a part of AADC?
A: Being involved with AAAI and AADC, in particular, has given me an uplifting, creative, and change-making community. Moving from a large city with a dance community to Bloomington, I was nervous I'd lose my creative community but the families of AAAI and AADC opened a door to a place I can call home now. People genuinely care about how you are and your personal success. It has been a joy for me to show and act on support for the AADC students—watching them grow through choreography projects, grad school applications, scholarship searches, and career exploration. At AAAI and within AADC, you know you're safe.
Q: What's one of your favorite memories during your time in AADC?
A: We're on our way to a local elementary school. It's Company Intensive weekend and everyone is prepared for hours of rehearsal and performance—pumped up even! We park and Tyler and I get a text from Baba Stafford: “I cannot make it. Go on without me.” First of all, the dramatics of “Go on without me” had me laughing and simultaneously worried. Then it hit that we would have to perform for a school without our director. Now, if you know Baba Stafford, you know he brings the energy and life to a performance. We wish we had him, but we had to go on! My dance educator instincts kicked in—Tyler, Mama Kim, the student organization leaders, and I made a plan. The instant and seamless teamwork that ensued has to be one of my favorite memories of being with AADC. Each of us took a section of the performance, that we had observed Baba Stafford doing, to introduce. The rest of the company really increased their energy and support, and we put on a wonderful show!
Some of my favorite memories are just watching students listen to Baba Stafford for the first time as they enter the company. Having known Baba for 10 years now, I know his lectures fairly well, and I know how powerful they can be. I remember sitting on the studio floor as a sophomore listening to him for the first time and having a revelation about what I thought I knew about dance, and how this study would start to change my life. Now in AADC, I can witness this happening to students—they're widening their eyes, they're taking notes, and they're sitting back and soaking it in. Learning about African diasporan history, culture, and philosophy through movement is a very special experience, and I love observing our students' journey within it.
Q: What have you gained from your time with AAAI?
A: I have developed my love of dance further than I thought it could go. Leaving a career in arts administration, I was disillusioned with the arts field in general, but I knew how I felt when I danced, and I knew I needed that. Being in AADC has allowed me to dance every week and not only strengthen my technique, but provide an outlet for stresses in my life. Engaging in movement will always help me stay calm, bring me back to the root, and create new ideas for solutions. I've also gained a new appreciation for dedicated spaces for Black art and artists. Students at AAAI, in all ensembles, thrive here in ways that may not happen elsewhere. A dedicated space of comfort and safety for students to engage in the CELEBRATION of culture and art from their ancestors is an amazing thing.
