Herstory In Black - Dance Feature
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Herstory In Black
A Dance Feature
This post has been on my spirit for so long.
I couldn’t think of a more perfect time to present it.
…but first, I would like to honour my fellow artists around the globe. You have truly been a source of inspiration, joy, and entertainment during such an unprecedented time. From live concerts, to dance classes, shows on netflix, to incredibly authored books - the world has been reminded of the power of art and the impact it has on all of our lives.
My experience these past few weeks have been challenging but I am grateful for the ability to still create and share my passion for dance, fitness and culture. I know there are many in the dance industry that feel the same way despite cancellations and no person to person contact for the near future.
Would love for you to meet some of these artists. Particularly those from the dance industry…
But First:
Back in February of 2017, the amazing women you will meet below and I were featured in a Toronto-based digital photo series called Herstory In Black. As Canada reached its 150th birthday, 150 black women from across the country who have made a place in Canadian history were honoured. Black doctors, community leaders, artists, architects and so much more could be found among the group. The project was created by visionary Emily Mills and the How She Hustles network. It grew to a nation wide movement and was featured on CBC.
“Make HERstory in your own way, every day. Own it. Get up when you fall. Forgive yourself. Embrace your mistakes and the lessons that come with them. Share your story. You never know who you will inspire. Know you are worthy. Know you are seen. Know you are valued. Know you ARE making herstory because there is nobody else like you! #hustleon ladies and thank you for being a part of this journey. And to all the women not pictured here, hold your head high. Don't wait for permission to feel proud of who you are and what you do. You don't need a list or a label for that. Stay the course. Keep moving. Keep soaring!”
- Emily Mills (Founder of How She Hustles)
Meet the ladies:
I would like you to meet the five dance artists who were featured in the series with me. I wanted to shine a light on how they too have transformed their passion for dance into thriving careers. Learn a bit of their stories and be sure to support their businesses and initiatives. They all are doing wonderful things in the community - ESPECIALLY during this pandemic! They were all asked the same questions - and it’s beautiful to see so many similarities in the journeys we’ve all been through in our careers. My hope is that the future generation of black female artists remain encouraged!
Ayanna Lee Rivears
TRINIDADIAN
ayanna@socacize.com
@ayanna_oonie
Dance has developed my confidence and courage by performing in front of crowds and as a solo performer. It has also developed my creativity to teach and choreograph which led to me starting my own business Socacize. As a business owner, I learned financial skills, negotiation, business planning, Human Resources, plus how to balance work and home life. Economic empowerment not just to only own the business but to lease property, purchase a home and to employ women and teach them the business. Dance has also given me a sense of accomplishment as people often refer to dancers as “starving artists”. I however have learned more about the body, my history, and my culture as a result of my dance career.
The Herstory in Black experience was inspiring, empowering and uplifting. It was a place where 150 Black women gathered for a photoshoot to celebrate their life experiences and achievements. The room was not just filled with power and ambition but there was something very majestic - as everyone also appeared to to seem sexy, sultry and STRONG which made me think, gave me that rush of energy and drive to continue pushing through Socacize Fitness even when it seems impossible to pull through.
As of Jan 2020, I got accepted into a business accelerated program called Vital Voices for 1 year with continued mentorship until 2022. I am also working on hosting an annual conference for the Socacize Instructors in November. We also plan to continue growing the apparel, program development and the Socacize Professional Instructor Program.
Akua/Onika
Dance is where we developed confidence, cultural pride, and life-long friendships, including our sisterhood, which has evolved into a business partnership.
Herstory in Black was a memorable and irreplaceable experience to be acknowledged, in celebration of Canada 150, among 150 black women doing phenomenal things to advance their industries, communities, and Canada. It was even more special to have the work we do with D'LYFE Dance Company featured on The National and CBC online, for all Canadians to see. The recognition was inspiring and confirmed the value of what we do.
Next up we are launching a new brand GoLEFT Creatives to deliver Creative Services & Consultation. We're really excited for this next step, as it is taking off quickly. So far, we have been commissioned by Harbourfront for Kuumba25, the Jamaica Music Conference, the Toronto Public Library, several school boards for workshop series, independent artists, and other partnerships in development. Stay tuned for more to come.
Jaz Fairy J
Dance and I have had a deep relationship for most of my life. It is a language that is transcendent in form and spiritual in nature. Since I was a young child, I would feel dance in my bones, my energy, my dreams. When I started training post-secondary at York University, dance became my most intimate lover. All my secrets, pains, joys, curiosities and emotional ambiguities that I could not express or understand, dance held for me. As my practice has deepened and transformed into a profession spanning 13 years, I respect my creative journey. Dance has been a portal to the divine, a healing balm, and a practice that my soul has known in many lives. It has taught me how to hustle and has imbued me with a resilience that has allowed me to manifest my dreams. When we move, we shift energy and dance has re-generated me time and time again. From the very first stages I ever danced on to the projects I will do in the future future, the dance is me and I it, eternally. I have fought for dance and dance has fought for me the same. I currently work as a performance artist, choreographer and musician and I embrace dance as the that I draw from and return back to.
Being in a room full of Black queens was completely epic during the Herstory in Black experience. When the photoshoot took place, I had never attended anything quite as magical. I remember all of us standing in a circle singing a song Jully Black was leading, I think it was ‘this little light of mine.’ I remember feeling a deep sense of gratitude and a transcendent ancestral spirit energy that was nothing but Divine. I have known Emily since I was a tween and it was an amazing experience to witness her lead this group of queens through this event, meeting, photos etc. When I had the chance to share my stories and experiences with dance I had a really expansive time. The videographer was exceptional and it was an amazing opening of dialogue for me; to have the opportunity to zero in on my experiences and honour them. I am so grateful to have been a part of the 150 women making a significant contribution to Canada. I am truly still humbled.
What is next for me will depend on what the universe and Mother Nature say about the next few months given the pandemic. This will determine what my next moves are more solidly but upcoming plans are:
Premiere of Ame Henderson’s ‘Harbinger’ in Paris, France (June 2020), Releasing new music on all streaming services (summer 2020), Performance of solo “uncover” Choreographer: Karen Kaeja in Germany (Aug 2020), Nuit Blanche, I will be performing a new solo at the North York location (Oct 2020)
Lesley Waldron
Dance has always been a positive space where I was able to express myself. Born in the island of Trinidad and Tobago, my journey in dance started at the age of five. For over 20 years I have trained in various dance forms, but it is when my body experienced traditional African Dance that I knew this dance bug wasn’t going anywhere. After joining West African Dance Group “Sankofa” In the language Twi “Sankofa” meaning “go back and retrieve”, is exactly what I did. I travelled to Ghana to further my professional education and knowledge in West African dance gaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focusing on community development in African dance and Theatre from the University of Ghana. This adventure for me, confirmed that I truly was dancing in my purpose. Dance has nurtured me in a way that helped to build my confidence, tell my story unapologetically and brought out the leader in me. My dance journey has allowed me to interact with a variety of people both locally and internationally, it is a platform that enables me to empower others. I know there are so much more places dance is going to take me and so many more lives I will be able to inspire, I look forward to the unknown in my dance journey.
The experience of Herstory In Black was a humbling, inspiring and emotional experience all at the same time. There I was amongst 149 powerful black women who were doing such remarkable things and creating such positive examples. I wondered if I belonged in this space, after all I was just doing what I loved. However, through this experience it made me realize all that I have to offer the world and we all bring something unique to the table, so yes there is room for all of us. The most memorable moment for me was when we had a huddle before starting the CBC event. It was just a powerful experience being amongst such great energy and celebrating one another.
After studying in Ghana, I recognize the importance of maintaining and sustaining our culture. It is apparent that the authenticity of African dance traditions and its history has in some cases been lost in translation. This realization inspired me to form Akoma Performing Arts. An organization that provides workshops, trainings, performance presentations and consultation in a variety of art mediums. “Akoma” in the Twi language meaning heart, represents our various art forms and are the heart of who we are.
Sagine Sémajuste
Dance has not only played a very significant role in my life but it has also outlined its course. I started with ballet and later ventured into jazz, modern and hip hop. From getting into a specialized arts high school for the dance program, to then being introduced to my first musical, which then lead me to getting accepted into The Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Even after I entered the corporate world in Toronto, for a short amount of time, my passion for dance lured me right back into the world I’ve always known and loved. Surprisingly after I transitioned from dance to acting, it was still the source that grounded me, brought me great joy and peace. In my acting career it has served me as a very valuable asset. One that allows me to be comfortable within my body, one that taught me how to take direction well and one that has taught me to understand the accuracies of movement as well as the impact of stillness. Dance has helped shape the woman that I am today by teaching me to accept and love my body (at any stage), applying discipline to my day to day life and showing me the importance of self-care (physically and mentally). It has also exposed my shortcomings, revealed my insecurities and challenged me on my most difficult days. It forces me to dig deep within myself, pull out what’s needed in any given situation and to trust that part of myself that knows the answers without having to ask the questions. I’m so grateful that a lot of my gifts live underneath an artistic umbrella and that I’m able to pull from any of them at any given moment to do the work that is required. Since I transitioned to acting, I've been featured as a dancer in film ('Frenemies' and 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'), in television ('Motherland)', in commercials (Tim Hortons, Ford) and I look forward to doing more. On the top of my list is an artist/dancer biopic. And if you're wondering who I would love to portray the answer is simple, the one and only Janet Jackson!
My HERstory In Black experience was a beautiful surprise. One that I got to partake in because of my best friend Sabine Daniel. She is the reason Emily Mills even knew my name and sharing this experience with her meant everything to me. We have basically evolved in this industry together and have been each other's cheerleaders for many years now. Standing alongside 150 intelligent, trailblazing, successful, influential, ambitious, driven women of colour was an honour. I remember starting that year in a space of confusion and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough. This epic moment truly set the tone of the future narratives I would tell myself about myself. It reminded me to keep pushing, stay present, show gratitude and to celebrate my accomplishments (big or small). One of the many memorable moments of that night for me was when Jully Black brought her mother on stage and reminded all of us that, no matter the obstacles, with faith, love and resilience we can and must Break Through The Glass Ceiling. Every single voice chanted that monumental phrase in unison and many tears were shed. It was beautiful and important. In that moment, we felt unstoppable and we were reenergized with fuel we needed to keep going, at least I was. I will never forget that night and am forever thankful for the memories. Thanks again Emily for turning your vision into reality and bringing us all together. Sabine, thank you for being on this journey of dreams with me. All the way to the top sis xx
2020 is going to be an exciting and busy year. I’ll be appearing in a recurring role in a new Netflix Original Series titled 'Grand Army' as well as two other projects. I unfortunately can't disclose more information yet. Thanks in advance for all the support and for coming along with me on this ride. May 2020 be a year of clarity and living in ones purpose for all.
Headshot Photos by LeilahDhore.com
