The Ly-Ben Dance Alliance, LLC (formally the Columbia Community Arts Centre) is a 501(c)(3) community based nonprofit arts and cultural organization founded in January of 2007 to cater to the needs of the under served, through the Arts. Our mission is to be a community venue for creative experiences, which spurs economic and social revitalization through artistic and cultural expression.
We are dedicated to nurturing, promoting, producing and inspiring artists of all ages and we believe that the arts can be used to cultivate leadership skills, foster a commitment to community development, service, activist and meet the growing need of health and fitness education in our youth. In addition, we also strive to build partnerships with organizations that are similarly committed to our mission.
Dance has been used as a catalyst for change generation after generation, from culture to culture. Many social, economic and spiritual revolutions have happened due to the medium of DANCE. Dance is integral in most indigenous societies and by recognizing it as a viable and valuable tool of change, Ly-Ben Dance Alliance, LLC has identified dance as a means to address systematic racism, diversity, equity and inclusion disparity in dance and the decline of dance as a viable career goal.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mission statement
At Ly-Ben Dance Alliance, we are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the dance community. Our mission is to create a dance environment that embraces the richness of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and talents, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for all.
We believe that dance has the power to transcend cultural boundaries, connect people, and amplify voices. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive dance community that reflects the mosaic of our society. We actively seek out and celebrate individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, religions, and socio-economic statuses, ensuring that everyone feels valued and represented.
Through our commitment to diversity, we strive to create a safe and supportive space for dancers to express themselves authentically. We promote fairness, equal opportunity, and the removal of barriers, ensuring that every dancer has an equal chance to excel and contribute to the art form.
We recognize that diversity in dance extends beyond representation. It encompasses a celebration of diverse dance styles, techniques, and cultural traditions. We aim to provide a platform for dancers from various disciplines, honoring their unique artistic expressions and fostering cross-cultural exchange.
In pursuit of our dance-focused diversity mission, we are committed to providing ongoing education, training, and resources that promote cultural competency, inclusivity, and awareness of unconscious biases within the dance community. We prioritize collaborations and partnerships with diverse choreographers, teachers, and artists who bring different perspectives and experiences to enrich our dance programs.
We hold ourselves accountable to continually assess and improve our practices, policies, and programs to align with our dance-focused diversity mission. By embracing diversity in dance, we create an inspiring and transformative environment where dancers can thrive, learn from one another, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of the dance world.
The Ly-Ben Dance Alliance is committed to fulfilling its mission and vision through five pillars:
1. The Community Dance Project: Providing accessible and affordable dance opportunities for the underserved and underprivileged, ensuring everyone has the chance to experience the joy of dance.
2. The Ubuntu Dance Festival: Uniting the dance community, fostering relationships, and cultivating partnerships to strengthen the collective impact of dance as a cultural force.
3. The Ly-Ben Summer Dance Program: Bringing dance and related arts to the community through immersive summer programs, culminating in a spectacular musical performance that showcases the talent and creativity nurtured within.
4. L.L.E.A.P. (Living Legends Educating and Performing): Engaging performing dance artists to educate and inspire at local schools, sharing the richness of dance as an art form and promoting cultural understanding and appreciation.
5. The Ly-Ben Dance Company: Formed with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, welcoming individuals of all races, body types, and ethnicities. Embracing cultural differences and expressing them through movement, the company serves as a beacon of unity and celebration of humanity's rich tapestry of identities.
The Ly-Ben Dance Alliance stands firm in its dedication to fulfilling its mission and vision through its five pillars. Through the Community Dance Project, Ubuntu Dance Festival, Ly-Ben Summer Dance Program, L.L.E.A.P., and the Ly-Ben Dance Company, we strive to make dance accessible, forge connections within the community, provide transformative educational opportunities, and celebrate diversity and inclusion. Together, we dance towards a future where the transformative power of movement uplifts and unites us all.
Gail A. Glover - Founder/Executive Director
#dancingtowardsdiversity * #Iseemedance
