10/13/2026
✨💃🏾Today I stand humbled, honored, grateful and amazed to share that I have been invited to represent LWDA at the 37th Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance in Chicago, in January 2027!!
My session, “The Moving Mind: Neuro‑Kinetic Literacy, Community Motion, and Bodies That Read,” will explore the intersection of dance, literacy, cultural identity, and whole‑child learning — the foundation of our work at Leah Willis Dance Arts.
This invitation is deeply meaningful. It represents 17 years of faith, unfailing dedication, research, community building, and passion to deliver something needed to the youth and families who may never experience Dance, nutritional value, moral integrity, historical preservation, or academic proficiency at a nurturing, professional level. As a rural Nevada Arts Educator and Nonprofit Founder, being recognized on a national stage is deeply humbling, encouraging, and a blessing. I know both of my parents would be very proud of this moment (may they rest peacefully now ♥️🥲) and I will do my best to fulfill this call, and to carry on their legacy and show forth the excellence, artistry and heritage that LWDA is.
Many of you have watched me grow, struggle, rebuild, and keep going. You’ve seen the small wins, the class moments, the dancers learning and shining. But behind the scenes, this journey has been one of faith, resilience, and purpose.
I want to deeply thank The International Association of Blacks in Dance for this opportunity. I look forward to contributing to the global dialogue on Black Dance, education, and cultural artistry.
Thank you Dancers, Parents, Family members, Friends, Donors, Supporters, and Colleagues for supporting me, believing in me, and cheering for LWDA. We are rising.
DISCLAIMER: Neither I nor LWDA owns or claims to own video footage from IABD. All footage and images from https://www.iabdassociation.org/ is owned by IABD.
