Joffrey Academy of Dance Aims to Bridge Diversity Gap

DB NEWS • March 31, 2021

Black dancer with dreads and her back to the camera, holds pointe shoes that hang over her shoulders — Photo: Unsplashed

The Joffrey Academy of Dance in Chicago has started an outreach program, which focuses on engaging the parents of students of color.

Spearheaded by youth division liaison Keesha Beckford, the Joffrey BIPOC parent committee (as it's known) gives BIPOC parents and the school's faculty opportunities to communicate in meetings throughout the year. Discussions center on how the school can better serve its students of color in the overwhelmingly white ballet world.

Black dancer looks to the sky with one hand resting on her shoulder during an at-home ballet class — Photo: Erin Hooley / Joffrey Ballet Instagram

Related: This Is How We Diversify the Concert-Dance World

Parents of white students are also encouraged to attend the meetings. “It’s educational to have all these harder conversations that some non-BIPOC parents may not know we go through,” Monique Jones, a member of the parent committee, said in an interview with the Reset podcast.

The committee meets every six weeks.

Comments

LATEST STORIES

Adji Cissoko: A Black Ballet Star Who Believed

"I didn’t let other people’s concerns about my height or skin color influence my belief in myself," Cissoko says.

How Isla Clarke Defies the Odds in a Binary World

Isla Clarke is making moves as an out, proud trans woman, at a time that the rights of trans people are increasingly under attack.

Ailey Announces Free Juneteenth Programming

The commemoration will include a conversation with historians, a broadcast of Ailey performances and a free virtual class.

Zackery Torres Was "Bullied" on 'Dance Moms'

“There’s a lot of detrimental moments that really kind of set me back as a young person,” Torres says.

Artist iele paloumpis Is Creating Safe Spaces for Marginalized Dancers

Trans, visually-impaired, and with an awareness of the suffering others face, iele paloumpis is fostering a more inclusive dance world.

Maxfield Haynes: Their Journey in Their Words

"Steps do not have gender ... Your neurons do not have a gender," Haynes says. "It's electricity. It's literally just energy."

Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell on Inclusion, Tokenism and a New Era

The new artistic director of Hubbard Street knows exactly where the company is headed—it's up to us to keep up.

Period Loss: The Dance World’s Hidden Crisis?

A health disorder, which can cause period loss, affects dancers at more than 13 times the rate of the general population.

Former English National Ballet Star Found Guilty of Sexual Assaults

Chang’s convictions echo a pattern of rampant sexual misconduct allegations against high-ranking ballet figures.

University Offers Dance Therapy to People with Parkinson's

Experts say a combination of dance, music and social interaction help slow the progression of the disease.

Aladdin's Angelo Soriano on Anti-Asian Violence and Broadway's Comeback

"To see this rise in [anti-Asian] violence has been ... triggering for me," the Filipino-American performer says.

These Broadway Shows Are Scheduled to Return

Finally!

Choreographer Kiel Tutin Is the King of K-pop Dance

Our May cover star is choreographer Kiel Tutin, who's raising the bar for commercial dance across the globe.

Digital Series to Spotlight Famed BIPOC Dance Artists

The show will highlight a wide range of established performers and choreographers.

Black Ballet Dancer Wins Berlin Racism Case

Ballet dancer Chloe Lopes Gomes has been awarded $19,000 in compensation—and more.

This Is How We Diversify the Concert-Dance World

A list of actionable steps from some of the industry's leading dance artist-activists.

Gibney to Provide Free Studio Space for BIPOC Artists

The New York institution will provide free space to four randomly drawn applicants to be used this spring.

ABT Prepares for Upcoming Concert: UNITING IN MOVEMENT

Segerstrom Center and ABT have partnered for a new program featuring works by 3 renowned contemporary choreographers.

Liam Scarlett, Choreographer Accused of Misconduct, Has Died

Scarlett died at his home in Ipswich, England.

Dance Company Receives Backlash for Charging Application Fee to Audition

"Auditions are a dancer's job interview," one comment read. "No one should have to pay for a job interview."

Kyle Abraham Joins USC Kaufman Faculty in Prestigious Role

Abraham will serve in the role starting fall 2021, and will succeed the legendary William Forsythe.

Misty Copeland Wins NAACP Spingarn Medal

The award is considered the highest honor to be given by the NAACP.

Jimmy Fallon Acknowledges TikTok Creators Amid Addison Rae Controversy

Fallon invited many of the choreographers of the 8 uncredited dances to appear on a following episode.

Joffrey Academy of Dance Aims to Bridge Diversity Gap

The outreach program focuses on engaging the parents of students of color.

DANCEBUZZTV: Amanda Lacount on "AGT" and Life in Quarantine

DANCEBUZZTV talks with commercial-dance artist Amanda Lacount.

DANCEBUZZTV: Ailey's Jacqueline Green on Racism in Dance

DANCEBUZZTV talks with Ailey's Jacqueline Green.

Black Dance Dad Alleges Owner of Dance Competition Racially Profiled Him

Dance dad Terry Bowens alleges that the owner of a dance competition racially profiled him.