June 24, 2024
Dear Readers,
I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits.
I am writing to you about Black Dance Magazine’s recent partnerships and our new approach to the work of dance writing that involves community participation and cultivating the talents of Black Dance writers as we write about the vibrant, far-reaching work of Black Dance artists in the African Diaspora.
We would love to have your support for the work we are doing as we relaunch Black Dance Magazine and actualize our mission, which is to shine light on the brilliant range of artists and the people who amplify their ideas through writing.
In the current media environment, there is not nearly enough space given to Dance, (particularly Black Dance creatives). At this very same moment, we are experiencing an explosive renaissance in the work of Black artists. The lack of forums for discourse and documenting the breathtaking ideas being born at this moment is heartbreaking. Black Dance Magazine provides a platform for not only documenting the important work of this moment, but giving life to the ideas of artists through engagement and discussion.
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Read on below for more details and information about our work!
I am so pleased to be partnering with A’Keitha Carey of CariDance International to not only address issues of invisibilization and erasure but also how BDM can impact the future of Black dance writing globally. Together with A’Keitha’s vision, our partnership brings a focus on education together with publication, providing interested participants with workshops to develop skills to write reviews, interviews, ethnographic pieces, and artists profiles etc. while also offering publication opportunities.
We have already hosted several important virtual events and workshops together:
The State of Black Dance Writing Talk (January 2024)
Mapping Freedoms of Language, History, and Futures Through Dance Writing and Archiving Workshop at the 2024 CADD conference (February 2024)
Mapping Freedoms of Language, History, and Futures Through Dance Writing and Archiving Workshop (April 2024)
These workshops create a safe space for facilitators and participants to discuss the state of Black dance writing, and introduce participants to journalistic techniques we employ to successfully cover the fantastically dynamic range of the Diasporic Black dance community. We’ve been so moved by the excitement from writers of all ages that have attended these workshops.
We are also partnering with Headlong Dance Theater as an administrative home and fiscal sponsor. Headlong’s commitment to grassroots artists and organizations, like Black Dance Magazine, makes this a perfect partnership. By moving to a fiscal sponsorship model we are able to reduce our own administrative overhead while connecting to the vibrant Black Dance history and culture of Philadelphia.
Won’t you help us with our mission? With your contribution, we will start the hard work of beginning to re-publish Black Dance Magazine bi-annually along with programs that cultivate writers and ideas in relation to the brilliant dance work of Diasporic artists. We are working to develop the right mix of online/ in-person programs along with online and gorgeous paper publications. If you haven’t seen BDM’s work pre-pandemic click here to see one of our last issues….
Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email if you have questions or concerns: blackdancemag@gmail.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Norma Porter and A’Keitha Carey