Highlighting Black Artists and Black-Owned Businesses
As we come to the end of Black History Month, Artist After Hours wants to take a moment to compile some incredible organizations and resources we have found over the past few months! American dance history was built by Black dancers and artists, from Katherine Dunham to Alvin Ailey to Debbie Allen, and we want to honor their contributions and highlight resources for people to use in their own artistic journey.
Below you will find resources for Black artists and other BIPOC artists to take advantage of, as well as a database of organizations and businesses run by and supporting Black artists that you should check out and follow! We’re always looking to expand our resources for our community, so if there are other orgs you think we should highlight, feel free to message us on IG @artistafterhours or send us an email at artistafterhours20@gmail.com
Grants and Funding:
Minority Business Development Agency, https://www.mbda.gov/grants
A center for minority businesses to learn about grants, loans, and other financial resources while getting access to databases and tutorials on finding money to startup and sustain small businesses.
In the Dance Community:
Black Dance Change Makers, @blackdancechangemakers
“A platform that offers a safe, resourceful community for Black dancers around the world to connect with each other and make change.”
Black Dance History, @blackdancehistory
“Documenting Black dance for educational and entertainment purposes.”
Black Dance Stories, @blackdancestories
“We are a community working together to support, uphold, highlight and celebrate Black Creatives.”
Wellness:
Dive In Well, @diveinwell
“Creating space, community, conversations and change for diversity in wellness”
Black Women’s Yoga Coalition, @blackwomensyogaco
“Dedicated to increasing access to wellness for Black and brown folks.”
Black Girls Can Heal, @blackgirlscanheal_
Black owned Self love, Self care, and Inspiration through readings, journaling prompts, and more.
Apparel:
Blendz Dance Apparel, @blendzdanceapparel, blendzapparel.com
“Inclusivity designed for your Comfort, Convenience, and Confidence”
Nude Barre, @nudebarre, nudebarre.com
“Black-owned, high performing bodywear”
And of course, the dance companies themselves! There are so many incredible dance companies out there highlighting Black dancers and the Black experience, and we hope you find some new names on this list, in addition to the most iconic companies that have shaped the dance world for more than 60 years.
Dance Companies to Study and Support:
Antonio Brown Dance Company
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
A.I.M by Kyle Abraham
Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Dallas Black Dance Theater
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
EMERGE125
Harambee Dance Company
KMChoreo
McKoy Dance Project
Passion Fruit Dance Co
The Philadelphia Dance Company
Philadanco
Py Dance
Ronald K. Brown/Evidence Dance
Sidra Bell Dance
Step Afrika!
Company SBB Stephanie Batten Bland
Urban Bush Women
Thank you for reading, we hope you learned something! Feel free to share your own resources with us, and keep an eye out for our Women’s History Month resource page coming out in March!
