A Very Special Guest Visits B-Love's

When I was 14 years old I attended a summer arts program at Everybody's Creative Arts Center downtown Oakland, California.  One of the styles of dance I was introduced to was Dunham technique created by the the great Katherine Dunham: black dance pioneer, activist, choreographer, and cultural anthropologist. My Dunham teacher was Halifu Osumare.  This summer program was a great learning experience where our young minds were fed music, dance, theater and given our own opportunity to create choreographic expressions. 

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My auntie, Dr. Halifu Osumare

Now known as Dr. Halifu Osumare, my first Dunham teacher has continued to be a a wonderful force in my life providing care, mentorship, and leading and incredible life that has been a source of inspiration and an example to follow. ​

I later learned that she was not just my dance teacher but she was the founder and director of Everybody's Creative Arts Center.  This cultural center later moved to a stately building on Alice Street called the Alice Arts Center.  She was the director of CitiCentre Dance Theater, an author, a scholar in black dance and culture, and travels the world sharing her work. 

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From Dr. Osumare I learned the importance of ownership of self and the things important to us.  The way she took up space in occupying beautiful dance studios and theaters in Oakland that housed generations of african, jazz and hip hop dancers inspires me to this day.  It is in these spaces I learned activism and how art can help