#dspac

It's Mentor Monday and we're celebrating Dwana Smallwood of @dspacbrooklyn. She understands and embodies #thegiveback photo via @foreverdancinn ・・・ #DSPAC #mentormonday #representationmatters #brooklyn #keepitlocal

This woman is my friend, she is my sister, and she is my living inspiration. She was the principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1995-2007. From Ailey, she went on to South Africa where she designed and built the dance program at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) and also served as the Dean of Student Affairs. In 2014, she was featured on #PrettyPeriod.  Hailed as one of the greatest modern dancers of our time, Dwana Smallwood can literally dance anywhere she wants to in the world. She has not only chosen to dance in the community that raised her - BedStuy, Brooklyn, New York, but she is committed to lifting up future generations through dance. Last Saturday, she broke ground for the Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center, Inc.(DSPAC) located in the heart of Brooklyn. As she prepares to opens its doors in the coming months, she will be offering FREE dance workshops! Youth ages 11-17 will have the opportunity to participate in these workshops for two months, taking classes with some of the world's most extraordinary dancers and choreographers. Their efforts will culminate in a performance at the Center's opening event. In order to make this happen, Dwana and DSPAC needs your support! If Dwana's work did not directly reflect the life force of #PrettyPeriod, I would not use this page to solicit support. If anyone can inspire this little girl (pictured) to be whatever it is she dreams of being in the world, it is Dwana Smallwood. Please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1124026244/opening-night-in-bed-stuyfor more information and to offer your pledge. Thank you!