Here, Picture This Post (PTP) discussed CBDLP with its two co-directors Kevin Iega Jeff (KIJ) and Mashaune Hardy (MH), who chose to answer these questions jointly (KIJ/MH).
(PTP) What is the mission of The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project?
(KIJ/MH) The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project is committed to enhancing the artistic, financial, and operational sustainability of Black dance in Chicago. By fostering leadership, strengthening operations, and engaging communities, CBDLP will continue to serve as a vital resource for dance companies that advance Black dance and a model for sustainable growth in the arts. Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to equity, CBDLP is poised to expand its impact locally and nationally, ensuring that Black dance remains a powerful force in Chicago’s cultural landscape.
A central aspect of this vision is to shape CBDLP in alignment with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community—a community where love and justice are the guiding principles, and where systemic issues like racism and poverty are addressed through collective action and empathy. We aim to create a forum where trust and organic relationships can flourish, allowing common challenges to be openly discussed and potential collaborations to emerge naturally. This environment is not only about artistic and organizational growth, but also about fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among our member companies.
How has CBDLP responded to the anti-DEI and other white supremacist attitudes now promoted by Trump et al?
The funders remain engaged. Our conversation is to be in dialogue with funders about what it takes to correct inequitable funding and shift the paradigm; to keep them in the conversation about the need to be courageous and steadfast and supporting the arts.
Our priority has been strengthening CBDLP’s foundation within our community. At the same time, we’ve begun engaging with the broader dance ecosystem — including service organizations — to explore alliances and new opportunities for connection. We look forward to continuing those conversations.
How do CBDLP companies devote energies and resources to cultivating the next generations of artists and artistic leaders in Black Dance?
Most of the companies have youth and training programs to build a pipeline for the next generation of dancers. We’re elevating the organic continuum that exists with Chicago’s Black Dance ecosystem. For example, Ayesha Jaco, Executive Director of Move Me Soul, trained with Joel Hall Dancers and Najwa Dance Corp.
We also foster dialogue around succession planning to identify people in our ecosystem who are ready to consider leadership roles. Deeply Rooted Dance Theater masterfully demonstrated successful succession planning when Nicole Clark Springer, who joined the company as a pre-professional trainee, advanced to company member and Dance Education Director, and artistic team member before assuming the role of Artistic Director; and Makeda Crayton, who trained at Chicago MultiCultural Dance Center and Studio One before becoming Operations Director, then Executive Director.
The CBDLP has the Emerging Dancers’ Initiative. A program for pre-professional dancers ages 14 - 21 that provides a professional dance experience from audition to performance with the cohort in the annual performance.
Photos: Marc Monaghan, courtesy of Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project
