Black History
Month Celebration
As an organization, MYB is determined to work towards a universal platform of diversity and inclusion throughout the student body, faculty, administration, and Board; ensuring that all dancers feel seen and supported regardless of the color of their skin, gender, orientation, or background. It is in this spirit that each February, we present our MYB Black History Month Dance Celebration.
Join us this February for a month of virtual and in-person events.
As an organization, MYB is determined to work towards a universal platform of diversity and inclusion throughout the student body, faculty, administration, and Board; ensuring that all dancers feel seen and supported regardless of the color of their skin, gender, orientation, or background. It is in this spirit that each February, we present our MYB Black History Month Dance Celebration.
Join us this February for a month of virtual and in-person events.
Quick Link to MYB’s Black History Month On-Demand Showcase of Videos.
BHM25
FREE Dance Series
Join MYB for a FREE class on select Fridays and Sundays in February. Ages 10+
FEB 9 & 16 (9:15-10:30am) – Pilates Stretch with Debbie Clark
This is a music-driven fusion of a mat-based Pilates workout focusing on core strength, flexibility, balance, and overall body awareness. The class will lengthen and strengthen the muscles while giving you a full-body workout. Help you focus your mind, and send you back into your day feeling fully alive again.
FEB 14 (7:30-9:00pm) – Afrobeat with Heinz Adjakwah
Afrobeat Dance is a genre of dance created to accompany the upbeat and energetic rhythm of Afrobeat music, which originates from Sub-Saharan Africa, predominantly West Africa. It is an ever-changing dance form with influences from traditional African dance styles, African street dance, and Hip-Hop. New routines and moves continue to be created and inspire dancers of all ages/backgrounds everywhere.
FEB 28 (7:30-9:00pm) – Umfundalai with Miriah Auth
Umfundalai is a Contemporary African dance technique that includes movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the Diaspora presented in a way which makes it accessible for anyone to perform traditional African dances.
FREE RSVP
Support
Our hope is to be able to provide most of the events and performances of our Black History Month Celebrations at minimal or no cost. But in order to do this, we are seeking donations from our MYB community, area businesses, and organizations to raise the funds to cover BHM expenses. Donations may be mailed to MYB to the attention of Black History Month or made online below.
BHM On-Demand
BHM21 Panel Discussion: Nurturing the Black Dancer in a White World
Join our invited guests from schools and organizations throughout the DMV as they discuss the topic, Nurturing the Black Dancer in a White World. BHM Panelist Bios
MYB Alum Video – In Their Words
Insightful film from BHM21 featuring the discussions of MYB Alum Larry Miller (c/o 2006, WUSA9 News), Jazz Bynum (c/o 2014, Ballet West), Gabrielle Cramer (c/o 2019, MYB’s 1st Black Sugar Plum) and more.
MYB Student Video – Dreams & Aspirations
Five stories from MYB students in 2021 as they share their dreams for today and aspirations for the future.
Artist Talk Back with Lauren Anderson
Log in for an intimate glimpse into the life and success of Lauren Anderson, the first black principal ballerina of an American ballet company, Houston Ballet.
BHM22 Panel Discussion
Join us for an insightful discussion moderated by WUSA9 Anchor and MYB alum, Larry Miller. The 2022 panel focused on Perceiving Division in Diversity: Why celebrating the representation of black bodies matters for ballet. Panelist Bios
BHM23 Panel Discussion: Evolution of Dance in the 21st Century – Race, Social Media and Beyond
Listen as panelists discuss whether or not the proliferation of dance on social media affects the credibility of the professional dance world–especially professional dance training. Moderated by MYB Alum Larry Miller. Panelist Bios
Backstage Interview Series
Series of interviews with an amazing array of dance artists. Hear their journey into the world of dance from student to professional and beyond. They discuss race, acceptance, self discovery and offer advice to the up-and-coming young dancers who are in the studio today. (Episodes 1-8)
“A day in my life”
MYB Alum Aaliyahmarie Key shares a typical day in her life as a student in the San Francisco Ballet school.
BHM24 Panel Discussion: A Seat at the Table, a Place on the Stage
For the fifth anniversary of MYB’s Black History Month celebration, we are taking it back to the beginning with a screening of the documentary, Black Ballerina, which tells the story of several black women who fell in love with ballet, some of whom were pioneers who were instrumental in paving the way for those who grace the stages of the world today. Afterwards, join us for a discussion about the film as well as the topic of “A Seat at the Table and a Place on the Stage” regarding whether or not the recent shift by many companies to have discussions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has translated into the real action of more dancers of color being accepted into professional schools and companies which will ultimately (hopefully) lead to them showing up on stage.
Blacks in Dance Directory
MYB’s directory of dancers, choreographers, innovators, and companies that have excelled in the world of dance.