June 25, 2021

As we come to the close of a remarkable school year fueled by disruption and racial awakening and move into a new chapter of healing and accountability, we are pleased to share an update on the work that the Dancing Classrooms community has taken to create a more just world. 

Our founders, Pierre Dulaine and Yvonne Marceau, saw the power in partner dance to develop collaboration and leadership skills, build empathy, and cultivate the social-emotional learning needed for children to achieve their full potential, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or the community in which they live. We believe that every child deserves respect and have used our powerful programs to create equitable opportunities for arts and social-emotional learning for over 26 years, reaching over 600,000 young people worldwide.

Recognizing that we cannot truly meet our mission without addressing the impact of systemic racism in education, dance, and in the workplace, this past year Dancing Classrooms invested in organization-wide learning and planning to further embed values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility into our culture.  

As such, Dancing Classrooms has taken the following actions: 

  • Conducted a DEI survey and assessment of our organization led by Piper Anderson and CreateForward. 
  • Participated in a foundational anti-racism training for all Board, Staff, and Teaching Artists, led by CreateForward, to build shared language about race, apply a racial equity lens in our daily work, and learn how to execute anti-racist leadership practices. 
  • Engaged Jennifer Rutledge (Delphi Consultants, Inc.) to work closely with our Board of Trustees to embed effective diversity, equity, and inclusive practices throughout the Board cycle of service and support its ongoing efforts to expand and diversify. 
  • Engaged all Teaching Artists and Staff in Culturally Responsive Education training led by Dr. Nyama McCarthy Brown. Dr. McCarthy-Brown is also guiding a diverse team of Dancing Classrooms Teaching Artists to review and enhance our curriculum. This work will ensure that we are lifting up the histories and representation of the diverse originators, practitioners, and culture bearers of the dances we teach and make more room for students to see themselves and their cultures reflected in our curricula.
  • Launched an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Working Group of Staff and Teaching Artist members to inform our ongoing IDEA learning, vision, strategy, and systems of accountability.

Addressing systemic issues around race and equity is an ongoing and complex process for everyone and will require each of us to take our own personal journey; lead our organizations in ways that truly reflect our community and strive for justice; and serve as advocates for children by using our skills and talents to dismantle the hurdles they face while participating in our programs. We are grateful to the amazing group of advisors who support our efforts and welcome all of our stakeholders to join us as we continue to learn and grow.