Baltimore Black Dance Collective

Our Mission

Recognizing the lack of Black dancer representation in the Baltimore area, knowing the long history of the Black artists being excluded from and not thought of for opportunities in the arts community, and realizing the amazing talent that exists in the Baltimore region among Black dancers, Camille, Kutia and Ronderick got to work building the Baltimore Black Dance Collective (BBDC), in 2019. The mission of the BBDC is to preserve, uplift, and empower Black dance artists in the Baltimore area. Through connecting the community on varying levels to those artists, we can enrich the local arts scene and enhance the involvement of Black dance artists in our local and national arts community; making it more visible for their work to be shown, shared, and appreciated. 

Our Vision

Creating BBDC in 2019, the organization addresses numerous local needs including: 

1. Connecting resources to Black Dance Artists, such as places to perform, professional development workshops, classes, and knowledge/resource sharing

2. Creating a platform for Black Dance Artists to showcase their work and share their talents such as the annual Baltimore Black Choreographers Festival

3. Working with emerging young artists and connecting them with seasoned professionals for mentorship, giving them the tools, they need to survive in the dance world (i.e., professional development workshops on lighting, press releases, creating a dance resume, applying for grants, etc.)

4. Providing grants and scholarships to local Black Dance Artists to start, expand, and/or continue their training and/or their artistry

5. Bridging the gap between those who have been in dance and those who are new to dance to share knowledge, experiences, and representation. Focusing on the African - American and black identifying artist of color, the organization works with emerging young dancers from the ages of 8-25 years old but has also supported emerging artists who are beginning their career at any age (i.e., 25+ years old) and seasoned professionals.