Cover photo credits: Photographer Miana Jun
The Black Nature Conversation series began in 2020 to promote dialogue between black dance artists exploring their relationship with dance and nature.
May 2023 Conversation hosted by Alexis Diggs
Alexis Diggs is an independent dance artist from Dayton, Ohio. Previously a dancer with DCDC2, Lex’s dance experience encompasses modern, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and African training; her choreographic voice and teaching style are influenced by all of these styles. Additionally, she possesses a classical training background in both piano and voice. Her most recent performance experience was Cincinnati Arts Museum’s Black Futures Now Capstone under commissioned choreographer Countess V. Winfrey
DEBBIE BLUNDEN–DIGGS, daughter of company founder Jeraldyne Blunden, began training at the Schwarz School of the Dance at the age of five and joined Dayton Contemporary Dance Company at age twelve. At seventeen, she won national recognition from The Young Choreographers Showcase for her first piece, Variations in Blue, which was selected for inclusion in the National Choreographic Plan.
April 2023 Conversation hosted by Arsimmer McCoy
Guest Arsimmer McCoy, is a mother, a writer, performer, and collaborative artist from Richmond Heights, Fl. McCoy is the residency coordinator for AIRIE and creator of Homecoming a “birthright” trip for black Miamians to receive an immersive experience of the Florida Everglades. McCoy’s work can be seen in several publications. Currently, Arsimmer is working on her passion project Ms. Mary’s House|The Carol City Museum, a house museum, exhibition, and creative incubator, located in the heart of Miami Gardens.
A Dancer, Actress, Teaching Artist, Choreographer, and Screendance maker Alexandria Davis holds an MFA in dance choreography from the University of Michigan. Alexandria earned her BF in Dance Performance and Dance in Medicine certification from the University of Florida
March 2023 Conversation hosted by Lonnie E. Davis
Mr. Davis is a force in the Atlanta dance community. Recent projects and collaborations include, Atlanta’s Dance Canvas and T Lang Movement Lab’s “Black Endurance Project” with Juel D. Lane. Lonnie spent over a decade building the modern, jazz and contemporary curriculum at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and 7yrs teaching at DeKalb School of the Arts.
Alexis Diggs is an independent dance artist from Dayton, Ohio. Previously a dancer with DCDC2, Lex’s dance experience encompasses modern, jazz, contemporary, ballet, and African training; her choreographic voice and teaching style are influenced by all of these styles. Additionally, she possesses a classical training background in both piano and voice. Her most recent performance experience was Cincinnati Arts Museum’s Black Futures Now Capstone under commissioned choreographer Countess V. Winfrey
February 2023 Conversation hosted by Trent D. Williams Jr
Trent d. Williams. JR., A native Houstonian received his MFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from The Florida State University and BA in Psychology from Morehouse College. Mr. Williams was a founding member of Urban Souls Dance Company in Houston, Texas and he has been a guest artist with Tallahassee Ballet in Tallahassee, FL, EDGEWORKS Dance Theatre in Washington, DC.
Mr. Davis is a force in the Atlanta dance community. Recent projects and collaborations include, Atlanta’s Dance Canvas and T Lang Movement Lab’s “Black Endurance Project” with Juel D. Lane. Lonnie spent over a decade building the modern, jazz and contemporary curriculum at the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and 7yrs teaching at DeKalb School of the Arts.
January 2023 Conversation hosted by Alexandria Davis
A Dancer, Actress, Teaching Artist, Choreographer, and Screendance maker Alexandria Davis holds an MFA in dance choreography from the University of Michigan. Alexandria earned her BF in Dance Performance and Dance in Medicine certification from the University of Florida.
Trent d. Williams. JR., A native Houstonian received his MFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from The Florida State University and BA in Psychology from Morehouse College. Mr. Williams was a founding member of Urban Souls Dance Company in Houston, Texas and he has been a guest artist with Tallahassee Ballet in Tallahassee, FL, EDGEWORKS Dance Theatre in Washington, DC.
November 2022 Conversation hosted by Neri Torres
Born in Havana, Cuba, host Neri Torres is the founder and artistic director of the Miami-based IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Company. As a choreographer, she combines traditional Afro-Cuban and contemporary dance with multi-media performances to address social issues related to migration, women and spirituality. Neri is currently a visiting professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. Photo by Knight Foundation / Mitchell Zachs.
Guest Arsimmer McCoy, is a mother, a writer, performer, and collaborative artist from Richmond Heights, Fl. McCoy is the residency coordinator for AIRIE and creator of Homecoming a “birthright” trip for black Miamians to receive an immersive experience of the Florida Everglades. McCoy’s work can be seen in several publications. Currently, Arsimmer is working on her passion project Ms. Mary’s House|The Carol City Museum, a house museum, exhibition, and creative incubator, located in the heart of Miami Gardens.
October 2022 Conversation hosted by Corian Ellisor
Host Corian Ellisor (on IG: queen_ellarex) has worked with a variety of dance communities locally and abroad. Corian is a performance artist, teacher, choreographer and drag artist.
Born in Havana, Cuba, guest Neri Torres is the founder and artistic director of the Miami-based IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Company. As a choreographer, she combines traditional Afro-Cuban and contemporary dance with multi-media performances to address social issues related to migration, women and spirituality. Neri is currently a visiting professor at the University of Texas at El Paso.Photo by Knight Foundation / Mitchell Zachs.
June 2022 Conversation hosted by Joel Hall
Guest Joel Hall — a native of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood — established and co-founded the Chicago City Theatre Company in 1974. Hall was the Artistic Director and prime choreographer for his dance company and the Chief Dance Instructor for the training studio. Headshot Credit: Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.
Christopher L. Huggins is a visionary, dance innovator. He’s a former soloist of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Aterballetto of Reggio Emilia, Italy. His work is rooted in research that memorialize our darkest history. Learn more about Christopher’s artistry here.
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March 2022 Conversation hosted by Dr. Kyaien Conner
Host Dr. Kyaien Conner is a tenured Associate Professor of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida. She has been dancing West African dance since she was 5 years old. And has been a professional West African dancer since she was 14. https://kyaconner.com
Guest Joel Hall — a native of Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood — established and co-founded the Chicago City Theatre Company in 1974. Hall was the Artistic Director and prime choreographer for his dance company and the Chief Dance Instructor for the training studio. Headshot Credit: Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.
February 2022 Conversation hosted by Stafford C. Berry, Jr.
Host Stafford C. Berry, Jr., MFA, is an accomplished artist, educator, activist, and scholar of African-rooted dance, theatre, and aesthetics. He is the Director of the IU African American Dance Company (AADC) and former Co-Director of The Berry & Nance Dance Project.
Guest Dr. Kyaien Conner is a tenured Associate Professor of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida. She has been dancing West African dance since she was 5 years old. And has been a professional West African dancer since she was 14. https://kyaconner.com
January 2022 Conversation hosted by Michelle Gibson
Host Michelle Gibson is a consummate storyteller, employing body and mind to build a bridge between the arts and academic. On stage and in the classroom, Ms. Gibson’s dance, choreography, and associated scholarship evoke the social, political, economic and spiritual understandings central to building understanding within and across cultures.
Guest Stafford C. Berry, Jr., MFA, is an accomplished artist, educator, activist, and scholar of African-rooted dance, theatre, and aesthetics. He is the Director of the IU African American Dance Company (AADC) and former Co-Director of The Berry & Nance Dance Project.
November 2021 Conversation hosted by Clarence Brooks
Host Clarence Brooks, Associate Professor/ Director of Dance at Florida Atlantic University, founded the Repertory Dance Theatre Ensemble and guests with The Dance Exchange and David Parker & The Bang Group.
Gabri Christa is an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Barnard College of Columbia University’s Department of Dance and Affiliate Faculty of Film Studies. She is the founding director of the Moving Body – Moving image Festival a Biennale Screendance Festival around social and social justice issues. She is also a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Global Brain Health. www.gabrichrista.com
December 2021 Conversation hosted by Michelle Grant Murray
Host Michelle Grant Murray is an independent choreographer, performer, Artistic Director of Olujimi Dance Collective, author of Beyond the Surface: An Inclusive American Dance History. She is co-founder of the Florida Black Dance Artists Organization.
Michelle Gibson is a consummate storyteller, employing body and mind to build a bridge between the arts and academic. On stage and in the classroom, Ms. Gibson’s dance, choreography, and associated scholarship evoke the social, political, economic and spiritual understandings central to building understanding within and across cultures.
October 2021 Conversation hosted by Crystal U. Davis
Host Crystal U. Davis, MFA, MA, CLMA is a dancer, movement analyst, and critical race theorist. Her research explores implicit bias in dance and how privilege manifests in the body.
Guest Clarence Brooks, Associate Professor/ Director of Dance at Florida Atlantic University, founded the Repertory Dance Theatre Ensemble and guests with The Dance Exchange and David Parker & The Bang Group.
September 2021 Conversation hosted by Corian Ellisor
Host Corian Ellisor (on IG: queen_ellarex) has worked with a variety of dance communities locally and abroad. Corian is a performance artist, teacher, choreographer and drag artist.
Guest Crystal U. Davis, MFA, MA, CLMA is a dancer, movement analyst, and critical race theorist. Her research explores implicit bias in dance and how privilege manifests in the body.
May 2021 Conversation hosted by Okwae A. Miller
Host Okwae A. Miller is an Atlanta-based professional dancer, emerging choreographer, and founder of Okwae A. Miller & Artists.
Guest Corian Ellisor (on IG: queen_ellarex) has worked with a variety of dance communities locally and abroad. Corian is a performance artist, teacher, choreographer and drag artist.
April 2021 Conversation hosted by PhaeMonae
Host PhaeMonae is a movement engineer originating from DC. Currently living in Atlanta GA for the last 6yrs creating and working in all forms of art making.
Guest Okwae A. Miller is an Atlanta-based professional dancer, emerging choreographer, and founder of Okwae A. Miller & Artists.
March 2021 Conversation hosted by Tina Mullone
Host Tina Mullone is Assistant Professor of Dance at Bridgewater State University, Ambassador for National Water Dance and New England board member for the American College Dance Association.
Guest PhaeMonae is a movement engineer originating from DC. Currently living in Atlanta GA for the last 6 yrs creating and working in all forms of art making.
February 2021 Conversation hosted by Hattie Mae Williams
Host Hattie Mae Williams received her B.F.A from The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater/Fordham University program and her Masters from Goddard University in Interdisciplinary Arts.
Guest Shamar Watt was born in Kingston, Jamaica, raised in Miami, and is based in Miami and New York City. He was nominated as one of the top 25 performers/choreographers to watch for 2019 Dance Magazine.
January 2021 Conversation hosted by Michelle Grant Murray
Host Michelle Grant-Murray, is an independent choreographer, performer, and Artistic Director of Olujimi Dance Collective. She is co-founder of the Florida Black Dance Artists Organization.
Host Hattie Mae Williams received her B.F.A from The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater/Fordham University program and her Masters from Goddard University in Interdisciplinary Arts.
December 2020 Conversation hosted by Augusto Soledade
Host Augusto Soledade, a 2008 Guggenheim Fellow, is the Founder, Artistic Director, and Choreographer for Augusto Soledade Brazzdance, and serves as an Associate Professor in Dance at the University of Florida.
Guest Michelle Grant-Murray, is an independent choreographer, performer, and Artistic Director of Olujimi Dance Collective. She is co-founder of the Florida Black Dance Artists Organization.
October 2020 Conversation hosted by Jamē McCray
Host Jamē McCray, PhD. is an interdisciplinary ecologist who uses the performing arts to increase the diversity of communities engaging in discussions about today’s challenges.
Guest Tina Mullone is Assistant Professor of Dance at Bridgewater State University, Ambassador for National Water Dance and New England board member for the American College Dance Association.