Black Artist Talk

Black Artist Talk, facilitated by Olujimi Dance Collective founder and Deering Estate Artist-in-Residence Michelle Grant-Murray, is a series of conversations where members of the South Florida African Diaspora community collectively come together to generate awareness and explore strategic practices around social justice issues of restorative healing practices, the ecology of economic growth and sustainability, access to resources, education, building creative genius, and viable practices of being human. It serves as a platform and meeting ground to explore, enhance, engage, empower, and cultivate the Black Communities in South Florida. Black Artist Talk is committed to strengthening the fundamental core of South Florida's Black Communities by taking steps to build community awareness and utilizing the power of the Arts to synthesize and nurture cultural understanding. This education will generate knowledge and a sense of place, provide progressive and contemporary programming, as well as encourage and support collaborative work ethics.

Black Artist Talk: Eagles Perch: Exploring West African Traditions.

This iteration of the program is a moving conversation that includes a dance and music performance by Olujimi Dance Collective followed by an intimate conversation with Prince Aderele, Chief Àìkúlọlá, Nathan Lugo, and Wakumi Douglas (Iyanifa Awosogbon) discussing global learning as a bridge to understanding, appreciation, caring, and healing communities. The conversation will be moderated by Michelle Grant-Murray.

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, 2-4 pm.

Deering Estate’s Visitor Center Theater

FREE.

About the Artist-in-Residence:

Michelle Grant-Murray, curator, choreographer, educator, author, scholar, performer and Artistic Director of Olujimi Dance Collective, earned a BS degree in Dance Education (Jacksonville University), MA degree in African Studies (Florida International University) and MFA degree in Choreography (Jacksonville University). Michelle has presented work throughout Europe, Asia, South America, the United States and the Caribbean. She is Associate Professor Sr. and Coordinator of Dance at Miami Dade College, Artistic Director of Jubilation Dance Ensemble. She is the founder and host of The Black Artist Talk, Founder and Executive Director of the Artistry In Rhythm (A.I.R.) Dance Conference, Co-Founder of Florida Black Dance Artists Organization and author of Beyond the Surface: An Inclusive American Dance History. Her artistic practice centers cultural traditions and evolution of the African Diaspora around Olujimi Dance Technique, She explores corporeality of the moving body with intentionality, individuality, and intersections of contemporary and traditional modern dance styles infused with elements of African Diaspora Dance Movement forms. Michelle has developed a unique choreographic process, Ancestral Dance Movement Memory (ADMM), a movement exploration that seeks to go beyond the collective memory of the present physical body and utilize the ecology of spirituality and the environment to reveal the essence of humanities intersections with nature. She is a Knights Arts Champion, a recipient of the Miami Individual Arts Grant, and Artists-in-Residence at Deering Estates. Currently, Michelle is researching the performative intersections of Eco-feminism, Ecology, and Sustainability of the Black Female Body.

About the Panelists:

Chief Àìkúlọlá, Nathan Lugo is a respected authority and priest of Yorùbá Traditional Religion of Puerto Rican descent with three decades of experience, training and initiation in Yorùbá land of Nigeria and Benin Republic. He is fluent Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese and Yorùbá.

Prince Aderele is a Master Percussionist, Visual Artist, Sacred Yoruba Choreographer, and Arts Educator. He masterfully blends his West African royal heritage with his U.S. creative journey, connecting diaspora communities to their cultural roots through sacred art forms.

Chester Jones is a Jamaican-born dancer, choreographer and creative director with over 7+ years of extensive training and more than a decade of pro dance experience. Chester has danced in 15+ countries, dozens of artistes across dancehall, hip-hop and soca genres and has been on major stages in the US and the Caribbean. Outside of dance Chester holds BA in Journalism and is a proud digital media marketing professional.

Shanna Woods is the sweetest mango with a dash of ghost pepper. Shanna is a dance artist, choreographer, rehearsal director, educator, mother and creator from Delray Beach, Florida by way of Memphis, Tennessee. Shanna’s dance experiences began in her mother’s womb; the backyard bbqs and family reunions were the original dance space. Shanna has performed nationally and internationally with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre, Jubilation Dance Ensemble and currently Olujimi Dance Theatre. Shanna is the Director of Dance at Boynton Beach Community High School. Shanna is currently the first Artist in Residence at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center in Pompano, Florida specializing in Dance and Dance Healing Arts. Shanna L Woods is the founder of The Art of Acceptance Workshop: Healing through dance movement and meditation and Lavish Lovin soul care line. Shanna is interested in building a legacy of innovative, proactive, and holistic healing through dance and self-care specifically for women a young ladies.

Wakumi Douglas (Iyanifa Awosogbon) (she/her) is a creative, social impact entrepreneur and healing arts curator. She has dedicated her life to Pr*son abolition, social justice and healing. She currently serves as Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer with The Givers Revival whe she curates healing & spiritual experiences for those on the frontlines of social change.

About the Deering Estate:

Deering Estate, located at 16701 SW 72 Ave. in Miami, is a 21st Century house museum, cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the State of Florida and managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. Deering Estate is designated as one of seven Miami Dade County “Heritage Parks” which have a vital role in our community’s history, environment and in providing recreational and cultural experiences.

Cultural Arts Programming at the Deering Estate is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. Programming in the Deering Estate theater is also possible thanks to The Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation.

About the Deering Estate Foundation:

For those who treasure the Deering Estate, who advocate for its preservation and wish to invest in its future, The Deering Estate Foundation provides opportunities for individuals and corporations alike to partake in membership, signature events, and one-of-a-kind experiences, all in service of providing vital funding and support to the Deering Estate. Through these efforts, the foundation fulfills its mission to uphold the legacy of Charles Deering's cherished 1920s-era property, to provide funding for the cultural, educational and recreational experiences it offers, as well as its significant scientific and archaeological endeavors to conserve its diverse flora, fauna and the eight native ecosystems that thrive on its 450 acres, and to ensure its longevity as a prized American heritage site. Established in 1989, The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. is a community-based charitable 501(c) 3 Florida Corporation and the philanthropic partner of the Deering Estate.

Photographer: Danielle Farrakhan

Host or Publisher Deering Estate