Culture Cypher

Tanya Wideman-Davis is the Co-Artistic Director of Wideman/Davis Dance and is on faculty as Assistant Professor at The University of South Carolina. With an extensive career as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, Tanya completed her Master of Fine Arts from Hollins University/ADF (2012). Tanya’s academic and choreographic research, as well as her speaking, examine race, gender, femininity, identity, and location. This research grounds her choreographic method and performances and challenges the traditional methodologies and ideologies of classical ballet. Research projects include Dance Theater of Harlem: Radical Black Female Bodies (2014), Female Relationships: The Gender Gap in Dance (2012), The queering of a life of dance and HIV/AIDS (2011).  Thaddeus Davis is the Co-Artistic Director of Wideman/Davis Dance and is on faculty as an Assistant Professor at The University of South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Butler University in 1993 and his Master of Fine Arts from Hollins University/ADF in 2011. After an extensive performing career with leading professional companies, he continues to perform, research, choreograph, collaborate, and teach. His current research explores the intersections of gender, class, race, and technology through an African American lens. His research is reflected in his choreography and writings, including: A Dissembled Life (2011), Dance Theatre of Harlem: Modernism, History, Culture (2011), and Balance (2009). More information on Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis Heritage Works websiteMusic: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Assane Konte, a national of Senegal, West Africa, is one of the original founders of KanKouran West African Dance Company. He also serves as the company’s Artistic Director, choreographer, and costume designer.Mr. Konte left Africa with the dream of establishing his own dance company in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capitol.  Although Mr. Konte choreographs primarily for his own company, his ingenious creativity and spirit is always in demand at home and abroad. Consequently, he conducts annual programs in Poland, Hawaii, Japan, and St. Croix. Mr. Konte has held faculty positions in the dance departments of several prestigious universities in the Washington, D.C. area including Georgetown, George Washington, American and George Mason Universities. He presently serves on the faculty at Howard University. More information on Assane Konte Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Holly Bass is a multidisciplinary performance and visual artist, writer, and director. Her visual artwork spans photography, installation, video, and performance and can be found in the collections of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the DC Art Bank, as well as private collections. As a teaching artist, she offers workshops nationally and internationally and runs a program for adjudicated youth in DC. Her work explores the unspoken and invisible social codes surrounding gender, class, and race.  More information on Holly Bass Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Stephanie Smith Hughley is executive producer and co-founder of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. She danced with the Dance Theatre of Boston and the National Center of Afro American Artists. Hughley auditioned for a part in the Broadway production of Bubbling Brown Sugar, studied dance at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance and the Little Red School House and apprenticed under the directorship of Ashton Springer. She became General Manager of the Negro Ensemble Company in 1982. Hughley managed and supervised the production of over twelve Broadway shows including, Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With God, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Bubbling Brown Sugar and toured the United States and Europe as the Company Manager of For Colored Girls. More information on Stephanie Hughley Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs 

Juanita Moore is a professional with over 30 years of museum experience. She has served as a curator, educator, administrator and museum planner. Juanita Moore is the former President & CEO of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Being the oldest child in a big family helped her develop leadership and management skills that she still uses to this day in her roles of running museums across the country.  More information on Juanita Moore Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Erika “Big Red” Stowall is an aspiring dance artist and teacher residing in Detroit, MI. Native to Detroit, MI; Red started dancing at the age of 4 in the styles of African and Caribbean. She continued her training in jazz and tap at the age of 8 and started ballet and modern /contemporary at the age of 10. Her passion for dance grew throughout her teens and she was given many opportunities to enhance her technical ability. She attended Martin Luther King High School and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. After her studies, Red stepped back from performing and started teaching at a charter school in Detroit, MI. Now, after two years of being an educator, Red has returned to performing and choreographing many works around the Detroit area. More information on Erika Stowall Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Reginald (Reggie) Van Lee is a philanthropist, an arts advocate, and retired Executive Vice President of the global management and technology consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. He was appointed by President Obama to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was formerly appointed by President Obama to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. He is the co-author of the book, “Mega communities – How Leaders of Government, Business, and Non-Profits Can Tackle Today’s Global Challenges Together.” More information on Reggie Van Lee Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Satori Shakoor is an artist, storyteller and a social entrepreneur. She is a 2017 Kresge Literary Arts Fellow. She hosts the Moth Story Slam in Ann Arbor and hosts the Twisted Storytellers podcast produced by WDET Radio with a second season scheduled for October 2017. Ms. Shakoor is the founder of The Secret Society Of Twisted Storytellers® (TSSOTS) , a live, curated storytelling event. The monthly series features real people who tell true and personal stories live onstage at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Ms. Shakoor designs and facilitates storytelling workshops in the art and craft of storytelling in the community for organizations, corporations and privately as a coach. More information on Satori Shakoor Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Keith Williams has educated St. Louis’ young dance talent for years after being taught himself by Katherine Dunham. He knows what it takes for a aspiring dancer to be successful and uses that knowledge to get the best out of every one of his students.  More information on Keith Williams Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Idy Ciss is a master African Dancer and performer for Dakar, Senegal off of the west coast of Africa. He currently resides in Chicago, Illinois as a teacher of the artform. He credits the love and support of his family and neighbors as the catalyst which led him to the field of professional dance. Idy is also a teacher and singer of traditional African songs. His professional debut was with Les Ballets Africans Kolaam Serere. He is also a former member of Ballets Africans. He has performed before presidents of several African countries and appeared on national television in Senegal. More information on Idy Ciss Heritage Works website  Music: Yoruba Adventure - Westar Music Original Music Performed by Idy Ciss and Assane M'bayeWe would like to thank our funders:McGregor FundCommunity Foundation for Southeast MichiganThe Kresge FoundationFred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs