Not your average intensive—two days of movement, strategy, and collective care in the heart of NYC

This summer, something powerful is taking root.

Black Dance Change Makers (BDCM) is proud to launch its inaugural Summer Untensive, a two-day liberation lab for Black dancers, cultural workers, and allies who are ready to move, build, and reimagine the dance world—together, in community.

Happening July 26–27, 2025 at The Joyce New York Center for Creativity & Dance in Manhattan, the Untensive breaks the mold of traditional dance intensives. Dancers, organizers, and dreamers are invited to experience two days filled with tools, truth, and transformation.

What to Expect:

- Movement workshops led by celebrated Black artists

- Political education + skill-building for navigating the dance world—and changing it

- Panels with visionaries who are reshaping the industry from the inside out

- Collective meals + community care (yes, we’re feeding you!)

- Swag bags + goodies from our community partners

- And the chance to turn your dreams for dance into action
 

Confirmed facilitators and speakers include:
Catherine Kirk, Alysia Johnson, Dr. Charmaine Warren, Sydnie Mosley, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, Antuan Byers, Morgan McDaniel, and Etana Sissoko.

"This isn’t just programming—it’s a portal," says Antuan Byers, Founder and Director of BDCM. "We’re building the kind of space we always needed. A space where dancers are organizers, where joy is a strategy, and where Black brilliance isn’t just centered—it’s celebrated."

The Untensive is fueled by mutual aid. Every registration helps sustain the space, support guest artists, and make this offering accessible to more dancers.

Event Details:

BDCM Summer Untensive 2025
 - July 26–27, 2025
 - The Joyce New York Center for Creativity & Dance – 287 E 10th Street, NYC
 - Breakfast and lunch included both days
 - Sliding scale tickets available

Ready to join us?

Visit www.blackdancechangemakers.com/summeruntensive to register and learn more.

About Black Dance Change Makers

Black Dance Change Makers (BDCM) is a transformative platform for Black-identifying dancers that redefines performance through choreographed movements of change. Through political education, skill-building, and community organizing, BDCM builds sustainable models for collective liberation in and beyond the studio.

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A previous version of this announcement referred to this as “the first” Summer Untensive. We want to clarify that this is our first Summer Untensive hosted by Black Dance Change Makers.

We are deeply aware that we are not the originators or owners of this work or the name "Untensive," but rather stewards of a long lineage of movement-building, community care, and creative resistance. We honor and uplift the many dancers, organizers, and visionaries—especially those rooted in the Black radical tradition—whose liberatory practices have paved the way for gatherings like this one. Their work continues to inspire and shape all that we do.