A safe space for exploring contemporary dance

Honoring the pivotal role dance has played in Black culture, the student organization Athens Black Contemporary Dancers (ABCD) represents a portal to understanding the Black experience artistically through dance, and has become a haven for Black creatives.

The Roots of ABCD

ABCD is a student-run dance organization whose members are passionate about modern contemporary dance styles. The group says they are constantly evolving.

The group performs at events like the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration held at OHIO’s Baker Center. Founded in 2005, the organization's current member count is nine, with five executive board members.

We sat down with a few of the executive board members for a conversation about the organization and its impact. Makayla Moore is the current president of ABCD. Najah Carson is the artistic director, and Jaiya McKenny is the secretary.

The ABCD Experience

“ABCD exists to give back to the community by providing a safe space for creatives,” says Moore, a senior dance major. “It is our first and foremost responsibility, to show our openness to people from all walks of life.”

The organization respects people and their unique experiences and has used dance as an art to create an environment where every voice is heard. The members specify that it isn't a group for just dancers and dance students; it’s for any Black creative.

“We also represent a source of entertainment and fun using dance as an art to tell stories and showcase the Black experience. I believe it is our way of giving to the Black community as dance has been an impactful part of our culture,” Moore says.

The word “contemporary” is part of the organization’s identity because the members believe in the value of contemporary forms of dance and their impact, especially in terms of vulnerability, which Moore says is a quality that isn’t typically emphasized in dance culture.

“In trying to engage with the community, sometimes [we] dancers want to lean more into hip-hop, jazz, heel and other genres,” Moore says. “We do all of that too, but we’re very intentional about the vulnerability that contemporary dance allows us to show, using that to connect to the audiences.”

Moore gave the example of the time the group choreographed an inspiring rendition of “Four Women” by Nina Simone.

Carson, a junior dance major, who takes point on choreography direction and routines, describes how the group honors the individuality of each member through their creative process.

“The focus on harnessing and showcasing vulnerability in the art sets ABCD apart. And it stems from our creative approach - how we select songs and create choreography routines together.”

Carson bears the responsibility of ensuring the group operates as a unit.

“We try to create together to make sure everyone is involved, on the same page, and most importantly, that their voices contribute to the pieces because we are all unique,” Carson says. “That makes us stronger as a collective and allows the whole group to shine.”

McKenny, also a junior dance major, points out that there are long-term advantages to the collaborative approach.

The organization is intentional about the group's emotional, physical, and mental health. Moore says they prioritize open communication because the members and executives consider each other as family.

“As executives, we’re constantly in touch with how everyone is doing and coping with college life. So we try to do mental check-ins and sometimes have yoga sessions instead of routine dance classes,” Moore notes.

As Moore, Carson and McKenny draw closer to the finish line of their college education, they will be handing over the reins of the organization to others.

“It’s been a wholesome experience to lead this organization and be the voice of the whole group,” Moore says. “Part of being the president is having to make decisions that protect the organization and are in our best interest with the counsel of the executive board. I consider every member my friend and family. I have thoroughly enjoyed this journey with them.”

For Carson, her position was a match made in heaven.

“I always enjoy being in a creative space, especially in a group, and I like sharing ideas that resonate with others and inspire them to lean into their uniqueness,” Carson says. “Those walks to dance classes, figuring out routines with members, and seeing the fruits of our labor are always purposeful. I have enjoyed my position in the organization because I get to do this with people who understand me.”

The growing impact of ABCD

Dance as an art involves more than the movement itself. Everything from organizing the group, understanding how to create a fluid sonic and visual experience on stage to the technical details needs to be arranged, even before choreographing routines and syncing with members.

“On paper, it doesn’t seem as hard but involves a lot,” Moore says.

The hard work has paid off, with the group becoming a mainstay on the stage of one of the University’s premiere celebrations.

“Having the opportunity to choreograph at an event like the ‘Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.’ celebration brunch says a lot about how there’s an audience that understands the role of an artform like dance,” Carson says. 

She says the contemporary dance performances allow the audience to “connect emotionally to the theme and purpose of the gathering.”   

“It’s also an acknowledgment of what dance culture has done for the Black community," Moore says.

All three executives say their favorite memory from ABCD is the Black Alumni Reunion (BAR) weekend.

“Our performance at BAR weekend was surreal because we were the only dance act that weekend, and it was a massive audience,” Carson says. “We felt the energy and the support when we performed on stage. People approached us after our performance, so we were proud.”

ABCD has also been collaborating with the Movement Organization, another dance group on campus, for dance events. The latest installment is scheduled for the fall. McKenny says even as they branch out the group maintains a focus on consistent training. 

“The mainstay for the group is generally dance classes,” she says. “We are constantly performing at other events, so it’s been a pickle putting our event together, but come what may, we’re always running our dance classes.”