THE LIBERATION ACADEMY
January-June 2022
A free series of round table discussions, music & dance workshops, and films for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) dedicated to freedom.
Presented by Dance Mission Theater and funded in part by the Dream Keepers Initiative.
Directed and curated by Ellen Sebastian-Chang, Sarah Crowell, Kara Mack, Bongo Sidibe, Joti Singh, and amara tabor-smith.
This Liberation Academy was conceived to restore the intellectual scholarship, spiritual wisdom and creative richness which resides historically in Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color collective oral and underground traditions.
In these critical times we will use our critical theories to rescue ourselves as critically vital to our healing, survival and skill building towards Liberation. We choose to intersect all the siloed knowledge-based projects (ethnic studies/ feminism/ gender/ housing/ medicine) based in resistance movements begun in the 20th Century and revive them as critical (vital and necessary) collaborations. Yes WE WILL BE CRITICAL – as in critical to each other’s freedom, well being and survival.
– amara, Bongo, Ellen, Joti, Kara, and Sarah (Liberation Academy Leadership Team)
The Liberation Academy is open to ALL BIPOC regardless of dance experience. This is not just for trained dancers. All movers and shakers are welcome. We recognize and uplift all beings as movers and shakers.