Black Diaspora

Founded and curated by Eva Yaa Asantewaa, the Black Diaspora initiative supports up-and-coming, Black-identifying and Afro-Latinx dance and performance artists from various cultural backgrounds and aesthetic traditions.

Conceived by curator Eva Yaa Asantewaa during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter uprising, Black Diaspora launched its first activities in September 2020 as a Zoom-based peer support program serving up-and-coming, Black-identified dance and performance artists from various cultural backgrounds and aesthetic traditions. With support from Gibney, Black Diaspora has offered numerous peer group discussions, workshops led by notable guest artists, and conversations between artists. We celebrate the resourcefulness, accomplishments, and generous wisdom of Black creatives, educators, and activists.

Among the many renowned guests Black Diaspora has welcomed in its first three years are Ayodele Casel, Bebe Miller, Charmaine Warren, Cynthia Oliver, Gilbert T Small II, Ishmael Houston-Jones, J. Bouey, Jerron Herman, jumatatu poe, Kayla Hamilton, Sage Ni’Ja Whitson, Omari Wiles, Paloma McGregor, and Raja Feather Kelly.

Aside from monthly workshops and guest artist conversations open to the Black-identifying and Afro-Latinx public, Black Diaspora has awarded its members grants for rehearsal space at Gibney with no expectation of finished product. These grants offer artists time to dream, play, and experiment; initiate, develop, or fine-tune work; invite guests for feedback; meet with collaborators; or record their developing or finished work.

In its third fiscal year (September 2022 through June 2023), Black Diaspora continued its growth towards a full-fledged residency program to include the following developments:

• an annual stipend for registered members
• continuation of the space grant program through Gibney
• informal studio showings
• a customizable mentorship program
• leadership development opportunities
• resource and skill exchanges
• networking opportunities

SPRING 2023 EVENTS

With the support of Gibney, Black Diaspora has offered numerous peer group discussions, workshops led by notable guest artists, and conversations between artists. We celebrate the resourcefulness, accomplishments, and generous wisdom of Black creatives, educators, and activists.

Check out the spring schedule below!

Members of Black Diaspora’s Third Year cohort

(Sept. ‘22-June ‘23)

Alexandra Jean-Joseph
Angelica Mondol Viaña
Beau Banks
Jenny Boissiere
Kendra Ross
Makayla Peterson
Maya Simone Z
Trinity Dawn Bobo
Wendell Gray II

Photo Credits, clockwise: David Rue, courtesy of artist; Tanisha Christie by JD Urban; dani tirrell, courtesy of artist; J. Bouey & Melanie Greene, courtesy of artist; Dani Criss by Liz Canaan Photography; Suzen Baraka by Charles Chessler.