Company Profile
The International Association of Blacks in Dance
Company Overview
MISSION
The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) preserves and promotes dance by people of African ancestry or origin, and assists and increases opportunities for artists in advocacy, audience development, education, funding, networking, performance, philosophical dialogue, and touring.
VISION
Our vision is for dance, by people of African ancestry or origin, to be revered, respected, and preserved in the consciousness and cultural institutions of all people.
VALUES
IABD values and validates the significant connections and influence that dance by people of African ancestry or origin have on the American and International cultural landscape. We believe in:
- The aesthetic and integrity of all forms, genres, methods and styles that have influenced, transformed, and advanced the art of dance and its history.
- Providing choreographers and companies an artistic outlet and opportunity to present their work.
- The discipline, experience, knowledge, and wisdom that impact youth and the next generation of dance artists.
- Creating an environment of exploration and scholarship for administrators, artists, educators, researchers, scholars, production staff, and writers to learn and grow.
- Encouraging meaningful inter-generational exchange of these values between dance masters and emerging artists.
Company History
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACKS IN DANCE (IABD) has become the Mecca for Blacks in Dance such as administrators, artists, choreographers, dance companies, directors, educators, scholars, students, teachers, and those interested in artistry, black dance issues, and performance presentations. The Association provides a network, formal newsletters, choreographers directory, published papers and is the raison d’être for the annual conference and festival. The Association also responds to and initiates dialogue around issues that impact the Black Dance Community as well as the Dance community at large. IABD has developed national prominence and allowed the Black Dance Community to come together on issues important to them.
In 1988, Joan Myers Brown, Founder/Executive Artistic Director along with the Philadanco! staff launched the 1st International Conference on Black Dance Companies as a direct result of an artistic grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts that included assistance from University of the Arts, Entertainment Business Services, the Pennsylvania Arts Council, the City of Philadelphia and the Coalition of African American Cultural Organizations. Eighty professionals attended in Philadelphia, PA. Ms. Brown felt that a gathering of the Black dance community would serve not only her needs, but also needs of other Black dance professionals.
Inspired by the convening of the conference and the possibility of an organization that served the needs of those committed to Black Dance, constituents of the 1990 Denver, CO conference hosted by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, presented a motion that called for a formalization of an association. It was determined that each year the conference would rotate from one city to another with a host organization. In 1991, at the Dayton, OH conference hosted by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, the unincorporated association, The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) was formalized and an Emergency Fund was instituted for IABD artists and companies. During the association’s first six years, 1988 – 1993, its Founding Organizational Members hosted the annual conference and festival.
The inaugural Executive Committee and Founding Organizational Members of the association included (listed in year of history of conference and festival presenting):
The Philadelphia Dance Company, Philadanco! (1988 - 1989)
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (1990)
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (1991)
Lula Washington Dance Theatre (1992)
Dallas Black Dance Theatre (1993)
Today, the conference and festival has grown to include an average of 400 - 600 participants from across the world, Africa, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America. The conference and festival has been held nationally and internationally in California, Canada, Colorado, New York City, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
The Association is committed not only to documenting and addressing Black aesthetics in dance; it educates younger generations about contributions of Black artists in dance. As one avenue for accomplishing these goals, the Association has established archives with the National Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio, the Afro-American Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The Association and Conference were initially shaped by the presence of some of the most prominent companies and individuals in the Dance community (alphabetical order, last name) Ronald K. Brown, Evidence, A Dance Company; Chuck Davis, African American Dance Ensemble; George Faison; Carol Foster, DC Youth Ensemble; Joan Gray, Muntu Dance Theatre; Beverly Harper, Charmaine Jefferson, Denise Jefferson, Carmen de LaVallade, Dancer, Choreographer, Donald McKayle; Eleo Pomare, Eleo Pomare Dance Company; Dr. Patricia Reid-Merritt; Rod Rodgers, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Walter Nicks, Dancer, Choreographer, and a host of many others with deep and committed interests.
The International Association of Blacks in Dance, Inc., has developed national prominence and allowed the Black dance community to come together on issues important to them. IABD’s very existence recognizes that if we, as Blacks in dance, do not endeavor to preserve and promote dance by people of African ancestry or origin then there is certainly no other group who should or will take on this responsibility.