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About Us
History
Dr. Iquail Shaheed founded DANCE IQUAIL! (DI!) out of a commitment to telling stories of struggle through dance, motivated by his own lived experience growing up in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia, the poverty-impacted community where he was born and raised, and where Black and LGBTQ communities continue to do battle with systemic racism and homophobia. The work of DI! is deeply personal: Iquail uses his art to candidly address real-life situations, such as the incarcerations of his father and three maternal uncles, including one currently serving a life sentence for murder, using the art of dance and the power of community as tools for healing and transformative justice.
Since 2007, DI! has been a community leader providing youth- and workforce development programming for Mantua residents through dance. Over the past 17 years, DI! has lived out its values to be a “hyperlocal Philly organization in a global way” by conducting international tours where Mantua youth and residents travel with the company as performers and crew. DI! provided programming for over 450 youth 2023. Over 80% of our program participants are from the lower-income metropolitan Mantua community, and 20% are from the neighboring West Powelton, Belmont, and Parkside communities.
Steering inner city youth in a positive direction is Dance Iquail’s most passionate pursuit. The company offers a place of purity and nurturing for inspiring young dancers to be taught not only the fundamentals of dance, but instills discipline and other virtues possessed by model citizens. This process is accomplished with the multi-talented teachers and choreographers that work within this organization.
Dance Iquail shows these youth how to channel the negativity that surrounds them daily, into a world of innovation and creativity through thought-provoking performances. Dance Iquail gives the inner city youth a true voice through the art of dance. Dance Iquail is very fortunate to have such a creative and passionate founder at the helm.
Dance Iquail has established noteworthy companies in both New York and Philadelphia, two of the world’s most visible cities for the art of dance. The company, being named for how one would speak with enthusiasm when seeing Iquail himself dance, have the privilege of learning firsthand from this credibly acclaimed, international teacher. Iquail is not only scholastically trained, but is a very versatile performer himself. He has experience on Broadway, and also in operas, concert dance, movies, television and print. Our founder is securing his legacy through this company, and will not only be appreciated for his selflessness as an artist, but will be celebrated for his willingness and devotion to share what he has learned, one community at a time.
Mission Statement
DANCE IQUAIL! (DI!) uses dance as a conduit for combating issues of social injustice primarily experienced by Black Philadelphians. We use dance and community educational programs to enrich, heal, and transform. DI! positions itself as a hub for innovative and inclusive cultural programming, seeking to develop successful arts practices in which underserved communities are not only provided access as audience members but also become active stakeholders in the organization’s work.
Vision Statement
Working in the universal language of movement, DI! is committed to creating and presenting programs that confront the destructive and divisive nature of racism, sexism, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, the needs of the poor, and the importance of family support and unity. These debilitating problems affect all people because they transcend limitations of ethnicity, gender, or social status. Consequently, DIQ’s ultimate priority is to reflect those beliefs through its works, and through the diversity of its staff, on and off-stage.
The Board of Trustees
| Rasheen Allen | Chair |
| Marcus J. Hardaway | Treasurer |
| Celena Spain Frank | Secretary |
| Iquail Shaheed, Ph.D | Executive Artistic Director |
The Staff
| Iquail Shaheed, PhD | Executive Artistic Director |
| Donald Lunsford, II | Rehearsal Director, Master Teacher |
| Greyson Marlowe | Bookkeeper |