Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we inhabit the ancestral homeland of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe. They have been its stewards since time immemorial, respecting the land, river, and ocean with the understanding that everything is connected, related, and alive. We pay respect to Coast Salish Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to their descendants and to all Indigenous people.
Anti-Racism Statement
As an organization that specializes in the dances of the early 20th century, it is important that we acknowledge and honor the African American dancers, musicians, culture, and history that are the source of the jazz music and dances that we so love.
Jazz music and vernacular jazz dance are uniquely African American art forms. As lovers of an art form with roots in the African American community, we continually work to educate ourselves on the history, culture, and values of the people who created this art form and strive to honor them in what we do.
Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, Al Minns, Josephine Baker, Mable Lee, Count Basie, Chick Web, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong are a small representation of the many great minds and talents behind the art that we partake in. Due to the racial prejudices of their time, these and other African American jazz artists did not receive the respect, treatment, or compensation that they deserved as human beings, let alone as gifted artists. Even those who were considered successful did not receive the same respect or compensation that was given to the white artists of their time. We recognize that inequities and economic barriers still exist for African American artists to this day. With this in mind, we are committed to donating 10% of our profits to the the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund, which has the following mission:
"...to provide assistance to established and developing dancers, musicians, researchers and community builders endeavoring to be of greater service to community members of African and African diasporic heritage.
"We recognize the noted long standing obstacles of financial, administrative and mentorship support to black dancers participation, development and the intergenerational transfer of the critical heritage of Lindy Hop and Jazz Dance."
As a dance community, we are committed to continually educating ourselves and examining our own practices in order to honor, celebrate, and share the African American cultural heritage of jazz dance and to challenge the inequities that still exist today.
Jazz music and vernacular jazz dance are uniquely African American art forms. As lovers of an art form with roots in the African American community, we continually work to educate ourselves on the history, culture, and values of the people who created this art form and strive to honor them in what we do.
Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, Al Minns, Josephine Baker, Mable Lee, Count Basie, Chick Web, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong are a small representation of the many great minds and talents behind the art that we partake in. Due to the racial prejudices of their time, these and other African American jazz artists did not receive the respect, treatment, or compensation that they deserved as human beings, let alone as gifted artists. Even those who were considered successful did not receive the same respect or compensation that was given to the white artists of their time. We recognize that inequities and economic barriers still exist for African American artists to this day. With this in mind, we are committed to donating 10% of our profits to the the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund, which has the following mission:
"...to provide assistance to established and developing dancers, musicians, researchers and community builders endeavoring to be of greater service to community members of African and African diasporic heritage.
"We recognize the noted long standing obstacles of financial, administrative and mentorship support to black dancers participation, development and the intergenerational transfer of the critical heritage of Lindy Hop and Jazz Dance."
As a dance community, we are committed to continually educating ourselves and examining our own practices in order to honor, celebrate, and share the African American cultural heritage of jazz dance and to challenge the inequities that still exist today.