Brown Girls Dance

When people see brown girls dance, they think hip hop. The performing arts program at Quality Life Center introduces students to multiple genres of dance, beginning with ballet. With the solid foundation of technique learned in ballet, students gain a strong base for learning other styles. Like most dance studios, Q students practice in leotards.

From the moment I saw a picture of ballerinas with brown leotards, I knew I wanted them for my dancers. I was excited opening the package, and began helping the girls find the shade of brown to match their skin.

“This looks like poop,” said one student.

It was time for a chat.

How to convince young brown girls to embrace their skin color? That everybody’s color is beautiful? That they are beautiful? While it is finally at least possible to find beautiful representations of women of color in magazines and movies, it is also true that the market for skin-lightening cream is still booming.

The performing arts program at the Q is meant to provide exposure and instruction in different types of dance to students of any shade and any body shape. But the goals also include confidence and self-esteem. So I sat with these children, and together we talked about their differences, their value, and what makes each of them unique and beautiful.

When the dancers put on their leotards and walked across the beach for their photo shoot, you could see the confidence in their posture, in the way they moved. They exhibited not just acceptance of the richness of their complexions, but strength and beauty.

THAT is the power of performing arts. You can catch Q dancers at various events throughout the year, including Martin Luther King Day at Centennial Park, ArtFest, and at the Q’s summer camp performance of Lion King in August.

Keesha Allen is the Performing Arts Director at Quality Life Center