Get to know the faces behind Red Clay Dance! Our Meet The Artivist series highlights the dancers, educators, and creatives dedicated to using dance as a tool for collaboration, education, and social change. Dive into their stories and see what fuels their passion for Artivism!

In September 2019, Vershawn Sanders-Ward traveled to Harvard University as the first Community Impact Scholar of the Harvard Business School Club of Chicago. Over four days, she immersed herself in coursework, community engagement, and leadership development. Reflecting on the experience, she shares insights on the impact of this opportunity and her continued commitment to non-profit leadership.

Founder and Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders-Ward brings truth, history, and liberation to the stage in her latest works, FAKE NEWS! and Harvester, premiering in Visions & Voices. Rooted in deep research and lived experiences, her choreography challenges perspectives and sparks dialogue. Don’t miss this powerful world premiere at the Harold Washington Cultural Center!

Red Clay Dance is thrilled to welcome Ann Carter to our Board of Directors! With over 30 years of corporate leadership in Procurement and Supply Chain at companies like BP, Ford, and Baxter Healthcare, Ann brings strategic expertise, a passion for diversity and inclusion, and a deep love for dance. A former Los Angeles Lakers dancer, she is excited to support Red Clay Dance’s mission of Artivism and long-term growth.

From youth ensemble member to summer intern, Arika Johnson shares how Red Clay Dance shaped her journey. Exploring arts administration, she worked behind the scenes on digital archives, marketing strategies, and company profiles—gaining a deeper appreciation for what it takes to run a company rooted in community. Read her reflections on coming full circle and finding a forever home at Red Clay Dance.

Lela Aisha Jones brings a powerful fusion of movement, history, and spirit to her work, intertwining personal and collective Black diasporic experiences. As Red Clay Dance prepares to premiere her latest piece, we:all ~ gon’ die into revivals, she shares insights on creation, collaboration, and the transformative power of dance. Don’t miss her world premiere at Visions & Voices on April 3-4!

At Red Clay Dance, community engagement is more than outreach—it’s a deep commitment to serving, listening, and building alongside the South Side of Chicago. From our Making the Artivist program to partnerships with CPS and After School Matters, we create spaces where voices are heard, movement sparks dialogue, and collective action fuels change. What does community engagement mean to you?

At Red Clay Dance, Glocal is more than a word—it’s a guiding principle. We create work that reflects both local realities and global conversations, bridging communities through dance. From South Side schools to international collaborations, our impact stretches across borders while staying deeply rooted in home. What does glocal mean to you?