The Florida Black Dance Artist Organization's (FBDAO) annual symposium, aptly titled "Moving Forward: Embodied and Dialogic Explorations in Dance and Culture," is an eagerly anticipated event in the world of dance. This year, the symposium assumes even greater significance in light of the ongoing challenges faced by Black dancers, artists, choreographers, scholars, and educators in the face of state-sanctioned suppression and marginalization in the state of Florida. 

 

Taking place on September 6th, 7th & 8th in Miami, Florida. The symposium will serve as a platform to center Black dance and African Diasporic dance culture and traditions. These traditions have not only shaped and evolved popular culture but also significantly impacted American history for centuries. Throughout history, the African Diaspora and Black people have utilized dance culture and traditions as tools for world-building and accessing temporal forms of embodied liberation for both themselves and their communities.

 

The FBDAO symposium aims to bring together Black dance artists from across Florida to engage in meaningful conversations, share embodied methodologies, exchange resources, and collectively map out ways to stay connected and build a stronger network of support. The symposium program will feature a diverse range of activities, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops, performances, and networking opportunities.

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Keynote speakers will include renowned Black dance artists, scholars, and activists who will share their insights on the state of Black dance in the United States and beyond. Panel discussions will address various topics, such as the challenges and opportunities faced by Black dancers, the role of dance in social justice movements, and the preservation and revitalization of African Diasporic dance traditions.

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Workshops will provide participants with hands-on experience in various dance forms, including African, Caribbean, contemporary and black dance. Performances will showcase the talents of Black dance artists from Florida and beyond, offering attendees a glimpse into the richness and diversity of Black dance.

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Networking opportunities will be woven throughout the conference, allowing participants to connect with one another, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations. FBDAO believes that we collectively possess the potential to dream boldly, transcend conventional boundaries and explore multi dimensions, thereby fostering significant personal and collective transformation. The FBDAO symposium is not merely an academic or artistic gathering; it is a space for Black dance artists to come together, affirm their identities, and collectively envision a future where Black dance is celebrated, supported, and recognized for its transformative power.