OUR ARTIVISM
An Artivist is more than just an artist. At Red Clay Dance Company, an Artivist is someone who uses their art as a catalyst for community transformation and social justice.
This TEDx performance captures Red Clay Dance Company’s Artivism In Motion — Afro-contemporary dance of the African Diaspora as a catalyst for social change and collective healing.
An Artivist:
Believes art facilitates social change
Actively connects, engages and builds community
Practices self-assessment and re-assessment of their work
Dedicates their practice to intentionally addressing social inequities
Decenters themselves in Artivism work
Has evidence or fruit of their impact
THE HERSTORY
Founded in Brooklyn, NY on July 23, 2008 and now based in Chicago, IL, Red Clay Dance Company is the brainchild of Vershawn Sanders-Ward, the institutions’ Founding Artistic Director & CEO. Red Clay Dance is Chicago’s premier Afro-contemporary dance company, voted Best Dance Organization by the Chicago Reader in 2019. The touring company is a versatile and dynamic ensemble of dance artivist that tours and performs locally, nationally and internationally the choreographic work of its founder. The organization also houses its signature Making the Artivist apprenticeship program and provides dance education programming to schools and community partners.
Envisioned during her first trip to Africa in the summer of 2007, Sanders-Ward had just finished grad school at New York University and was spending her summer traveling, performing, and preparing for the next step in her artistic journey. It was at L’Ecole De Sables, a dance school in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal founded by legendary choreographer Germaine Acogny that Sanders-Ward first witnessed the spiritual interconnectedness of dance and daily life. At that moment, she decided this “embodied knowing” had to be the foundation for her dance company. She recognized the impact of Acogny’s gift to that small fishing village- a dance school that brought economic development and entrepreneurial opportunities to it’s neighbors. Sanders-Ward desired to build an organization that would have this same impact in marginalized communities on the South Side of Chicago. Red Clay Dance Company is rooted in African Diaspora movement practices and serves as a platform for Artivism (art + activism). It creates dance work that aspires to have a “glocal” impact and help to erase the cultural and socio-economic inequities in our city, nation, and world. Upon founding the company, she quickly began to gather like-minded dance artists who might help her actualize her dream. The name Red Clay Dance comes from her childhood memories. Although raised in the Chicago area, she was born in Mobile, Alabama, where she spent every summer, until the age of 12, with her grandparents learning about the land and the history of her birthplace of Plateau, also known as “Africatown”. This small community was formed by a group of 32 West Africans from the Kindgom of Dahomey, who in 1860, were included in the last known illegal shipment of slaves to the United States on a slave ship called Clotilda.
“Thinking back, the red earth was a playground for me as a kid, and I would use it to make all sorts of crazy things,” recalls Sanders-Ward. “Mix it with a little water, and it was like clay, something I could take with my hands and mold into something spectacular! It was unique because I made it, I dreamt it and designed it with my own hands.”
This is how Sanders-Ward views her choreographic work, a shaping and molding of our shared humanity expressed through dance, creating a visceral experience that lays bare our embodied memories. She choreographed her first work, Red Clay Child to honor this family history. Red Clay Dance Company is a thriving 501c3 charitable organization that houses a professional touring company, and a robust Community Engagement & Education (CEE) program that offers culturally rich dance education and artivism training to schools and community spaces.
RAD Fest Spotlight on Red Clay Dance
At the 2013 Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest), Red Clay Dance captivated audiences with Gone 2 Soon. Festival coordinator Rachel Miller praised Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders’ fusion of African, modern, and hip-hop dance, calling it “very original, very grounded… and surprising.” Featured on the cover of the Kalamazoo Gazette Sunday Arts section, this performance was a standout moment in the festival’s lineup.
Train with the Best: 2013 Spring Teen Masterclass Series
Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble presents the 2013 Spring Teen Masterclass Series, offering free dance workshops for teens! This exciting series features top instructors in Modern, Hip Hop, and Ballet, including Rachell Russell, DJ, Jennifer Colvin, and Amansu Eason. Whether you're a beginner or experienced dancer, this is a chance to train with the best. All levels welcome—register now!
RCD Board Vice-Chair, Belinda Farr
A dedicated advocate for child welfare, Belinda Farr serves as Red Clay Dance’s Board Vice-Chair with a heart for community impact. As a Prevention Specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, she works alongside DCFS and community organizations to promote child abuse prevention. With over 12 years of experience in child welfare, her leadership and passion for social change align perfectly with Red Clay Dance’s mission of Artivism and empowerment.
RCD Board Secretary, Jewel Sophia Younge
Writer, educator, and storyteller, Jewel Sophia Younge serves as Red Clay Dance’s Board Secretary with a passion for language and culture. A published freelance writer with work featured in English Journal, Rolling Out Magazine, and more, she also teaches Humanities and Composition at Olive-Harvey College. With her first feature film, Addiction by Subtraction, set for release in 2013, Jewel brings a dynamic creative voice to Red Clay Dance’s leadership.
RCD Board Treasurer, Rob Ellis
With a strong background in political science, justice studies, and strategic leadership, Rob Ellis brings invaluable expertise to Red Clay Dance as Board Treasurer. As Chairman and CEO of the Phoenix Association NFP, he is committed to uplifting disenfranchised youth in Chicago, while also managing large-scale initiatives at Healthcare Service Corporation. His dedication to community impact and financial stewardship helps drive Red Clay Dance’s mission forward.
RCD Board Chair, Erika Simmons
Meet Erika Simmons, Red Clay Dance’s dedicated Board Chair and the creative force behind Double Stitch LLC. As a co-founder and designer, Erika—alongside her twin sister Monika—has revolutionized crochet fashion, earning national recognition and prestigious awards. With a passion for innovation and community impact, she brings invaluable leadership and vision to Red Clay Dance, helping to shape our future in the arts.
Red Clay Dance performs in Kalamazoo!
Red Clay Dance made its Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival debut in Kalamazoo, MI, presenting Gone 2 Soon, a powerful new work. Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders also led a masterclass and joined a panel discussion, deepening the festival’s exploration of dance and storytelling. From open rehearsals to thought-provoking performances, this weekend was a celebration of movement, dialogue, and community.
Red Clay Dance, The Bar Ten Doors, December 17th
On December 17, 2012, we invited the community to Get to Know Red Clay at The Bar 10 Doors! This salon-style gathering brought together dancers, board members, and supporters for an evening of conversation, connection, and a deeper look into our mission. With a shared passion for dance and community impact, the event was a perfect way to celebrate our growing movement.
Chicago Community Trust-Young Leaders Fund and Cliff Dwellers Foundation
Red Clay Dance is honored to receive two new grants in support of our work! The Chicago Community Trust-Young Leaders Fund awarded $6,775 to help bring the TransAtlantic Project to life, recognizing our commitment to cross-cultural collaboration. Additionally, the Cliff Dwellers Club granted $750, celebrating our impact in the arts. We are deeply grateful for this support as we continue to elevate Artivism through dance!
Red Clay Dance: Season 2012 - 2013
The 2012-2013 season was packed with movement, mentorship, and meaningful collaborations. From the Summer Intensive and company auditions to the TransAtlantic Project—a groundbreaking festival uniting Red Clay Dance and Uganda’s Keiga Dance Company—this season embodied the company’s commitment to training, performance, and international exchange. Whether nurturing emerging dancers or showcasing bold new works, Red Clay Dance continued to push the boundaries of Afro-contemporary dance.
Documentary Subject: Vershawn Sanders
Red Clay Dance Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders takes center stage in ART: Creativity in Four Seasons, a documentary by emerging filmmaker Timothy Lydon. Following three Chicago-based artists through the ebb and flow of the seasons, the film explores Vershawn’s journey as a purpose-driven artist—balancing leadership, creativity, and community-building through dance. From preparing for performances to forging international collaborations, her story is one of resilience, vision, and cultural impact. Stay tuned as her journey unfolds on screen.
Time Out Chicago & Culturadar Critic's Pick: Celebrating Our Legacy
Time Out Chicago & Culturadar Critic's Pick: Celebrating Our Legacy
Red Clay Dance Company’s Celebrating Our Legacy was named a Critic’s Pick by Time Out Chicago and Culturadar—and for good reason. This powerful one-night-only performance at Kennedy-King College’s Katherine Dunham Theater highlighted the company’s signature storytelling rooted in the African Diaspora, introduced a growing youth company, and tackled pressing social issues through dance. Featuring new works, collaborations, and a show-stopping finale, Celebrating Our Legacy was truly one to remember.