Making of a Black Dancer - April 2023

Making of a Black Dancer and Vision Elite Royalty Studios is a community-based dance organization that sustains the hidden talents of youth and adult artists of color in the Carolina region. MOABD, the foundation started when one of my students said they wanted to dance in The Nutcracker, while it should be that anyone should be allowed the opportunity to dance no matter the color of their skin. However, her skin is very dark, and unfortunately, not many would choose her. So we started a foundation and created our nutcracker that everyone can participate in, and skin color doesn't matter. We should love everyone, and skin color should not be a factor. So we infuse classic ballet technique, urban hip hop, modern and contemporary, and various genres to illustrate the cross between cultural distinctions and our unique likenesses. We engage an underserved community through dance to inspire and instill a sense of hope, discipline, and confidence through dance training and the development of professional experiences. As we continue to grow, on and off stage, we strive to fight for artists' equal opportunity to express feelings and emotions through dance and gain the confidence to carry the legacy of this unique form.