Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble

10/03/2026

Just Getting Started!

09/26/2026

While the weather had other plans, I still want to share a little of what we were preparing for the Global Citizen Festival.

Here’s a look at the choreography I created for our flag spinners. Now imagine it alongside those massive 8x10 flags on 10-foot poles!

To everyone who dropped everything to join Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble and BDEntertainment on this journey: thank you. You rearranged schedules, made travel plans, learned choreography, and trusted us to bring something special to life in less than a month.

To our cast, creative team, production assistants, and everyone who helped along the way, your time and commitment deserve to be celebrated, even though we didn’t get to take the stage together.

Celebrating the people who said yes:

Michael M., Robbie C., Katie M., Sara D., Jacqueline C., Juan B., Kai W., Christina S., Katherine D., Glaks V., Diego G., Luke M., Brianna G., Monique Y., Taylor B., Haley D., Melissa S., Travis L., Allan A., Alice M., Ariana H., Dallas M., Amber O., Sandi T., Alyssa G., Ella B., Sharrona G., Selina V., Valeria E., Madison G., Gordon H., Bridget H., Nicholas M., Paulino J., Hans V., Xiaowen L., Karen B., Joel I., Amanda L., Evy M., Kelsey D., Alexis L., Donell P., Haley N., JaMarion G., Claire D., Melissa K., Sally N., Nick K., LaNece W., Adrian T., Thomas G., Noel R., Madeline V., Jakobi O., Amber N., Daryon F., Frances S., Cheyenne R., Dormeshia W.

We’re looking toward 2027 with gratitude and a production ready to dazzle. Until then, enjoy this little glimpse of what we had in store. ✨

Cast, tag yourselves below so we can celebrate you!

With love,
Jarid & the Melanin Mosaic team

09/24/2026

HOLD ON, presented by Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble, begins with a reality we cannot ignore: men die by su***de at a disproportionately high rate. That truth inspired the piece.

Created with and performed by:

Duane Gosa • Alejandro Gonzalez • Eduardo Almeida • Gordon Herrero
Billy Brown • Nikola Palivoda • Dree Dray • Xtian Aki • Odu Adamu

Original music by Jarid Polite.

With gratitude to every performer and collaborator who brought their movement, words, artistry, trust, and lived perspective into the room and helped shape the work.

08/30/2026

As Founder and Artistic Director of Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble, one of my greatest aspirations is to build something for the marching arts that carries the kind of impact and lasting legacy Alvin Ailey created through his company and his work. What inspires me is not simply the recognition of the Ailey name, but everything that has grown around it: generations of performers given opportunities to continue performing, tell their own stories, develop their artistry, push one another, build community, and share their gifts with the world.

To be invited into this space and present HOLD ON alongside so many wonderful choreographers and performers was an honor.

Thank you to Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, Ailey Extension, The Joan Weill Center for Dance, and everyone who has helped build Hearts of Men as it celebrates its 15th anniversary.

And to the men who brought HOLD ON to life, thank you. This work was not created by me alone. It came from your movement, your words, your knowledge, your trust, and your willingness to tap into a subject as personal and important as men’s mental health.

Whether you touched a flag last season or 20 years ago, came from dance or theater, or were stepping into this kind of work for the first time, every person brought something different to the visual performance arts world we call Melanin Mosaic.

Duane Gosa • Alejandro Gonzalez • Eduardo Almeida • Gordon Herrero
Billy Brown • Nikola Palivoda • Dree Dray • Xtian Aki • Odu Adamu

Thank you for sharing your gifts and trusting one another, and trusting me, enough to build this together.

In just 4 short rehearsals, HOLD ON became something that made people hold their breath, brought some near tears, and gave us a glimpse of what this work can become.

Thank you to everyone who came to see us, supported the work, and shared the room with us. Your presence meant more than you know.

This is only the beginning.

— Jarid

08/26/2026

Building MMPE has been a long road, and there is still such a long way to go. But every performance, every opportunity, every person who joins us, and every door we push open reminds me why the journey is worth it.

Still building. Still believing. Still moving forward. Next stop Ailey Citigroup Theater.

Founder/ Artistic Director
Jarid Polite

08/11/2026

Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble
Official Performance Video.
NY Liberty Pre-game

WHERE BROOKLYN ATPresented by Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble...

07/23/2026

What an amazingly talented group of young performers. After meeting for the first time yesterday at 4pm, to being on the jumbotron at the Barclays. Some haven't spun in years. Some coming from spinning different styles. Everyone giving it their all. Thank you for joining in on this wild ride!

And congratulations on being asked back for an official halftime performance next season! Well deserved.

06/20/2026

Melanin Mosaic Performance Ensemble on Live TV .
Sounds provided by

What an epic experience! Juneteenth 2026 in the books. See you next time!

Thank you
Shirts sponsored by the amazing (check them out)

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth from Melanin Mosaic!

Special shout out to the amazing team at for sponsoring our shirts for the parade tomorrow in partnership with .aux.dance.directors

06/09/2026

PERFORMER OPPORTUNITY

In partnership with the JN Long Cultural Arts Complex in Cleburne, Texas, we're looking to collaborate with 12–16 color guard performers for a unique marching arts residency July 12–16 (5-6hrs daily- adaptable scheduling)

We're looking for experienced, well-rounded performers who learn quickly, live to entertain, enjoy collaboration, and can bring world-class showmanship as we build a new holiday stage production.

18+ • World-class experience strongly recommended, but not required. Interested? Fill out the interest form and join us in creating something new. https://forms.gle/1qAvT1aiXCZxgs5D6

Interested in being on the creative team? [email protected]