EDI Conversation Series: The Art, History & Heart of Hip-Hop

Join us for a dynamic and inspiring session of the EDI Conversation Series featuring Amia Ogieva, a world-class hip-hop dancer, instructor and community role model. Teaching at multiple studios—including at Ontario Dance Academy right here in Belleville—she brings both exceptional skill and an uplifting presence to every space she enters.

In this engaging session, Amia will share:

• What hip-hop means to her personally, as both an art form and a source of empowerment.
• The historical roots and cultural significance of hip-hop within the Black community and how it has served as a vehicle for storytelling, resistance, and identity.
• Her own journey as a professional dancer, including the barriers she has navigated, the triumphs she has earned and the lessons she continues to carry forward.

To make the conversation truly interactive, participants will be invited to engage in short rhythm-based activities, movement demonstrations (accessible to all bodies and abilities) and open Q&A moments that connect personal experience with broader cultural themes.

Whether you are a dance enthusiast, an EDI advocate, or simply curious about the intersection of art and identity, this session promises to be energizing, reflective and deeply meaningful as we honour Black History Month.

Event Details:

· Date: Feb. 18, 2026

· Time: Noon — 1 pm

· Location: Room 3H28
376 Wallbridge Loyalist Rd., Belleville, ON

· Visitor Parking: Lot P9

*Inclement Weather Plan:
If weather conditions prevent on-campus gathering, the session will shift to an online format. Details will be shared in advance, if needed.

We hope you’ll join us for this powerful conversation and celebration of hip-hop’s legacy and impact.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology