On February 26, 2010 our very own Kevin L. Tisdale was invited to speak at the Army Test and Evaluation Command Headquarters (ATEC) Black History Month celebration. After a speech tying Hand Dance to the celebration theme of “History of Black Economic Empowerment” Kevin and Julia Steward, Lloyd Franklin, Ronda Gaines and Tippi Mavritte performed new school and old school routines to an enthusiastic crowd. Below is an excerpt from the article featured in The Pentagram (a military publication), highlighting Kevin’s speech. To view the article go to http://www.dcmilitary.com/stories/030410/pentagram_28363.shtml.
Kevin Tisdale, owner of the dance company, thanked ATEC for being invited to the African-American History Month celebration and described the role swing dancing has played in African-American heritage.
“They called it Jitterbug, Shim Sham, The Charleston. Whatever the name, swing dancing has always played an intricate part in the African-American Community,” Tisdale said. “We can trace the dance back to the 1800’s when they first called the dance the cake walk. This was actually the first time African-Americans had the opportunity to mix and mingle with caucasian Americans through dancing. This was also a time the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect.
“Swing dancing has been a part of our culture since we can remember, and we have struggled for years as Black Americans to own homes, own land and for equal employment” Tisdale said. “But, economic empowerment has been available to us the whole time through dancing, swing dancing and what we call it in D.C., hand-dancing. Here is to social growth and integration through black economic empowerment. Here is, to swing dancing. Let’s keep on dancing.”
Tisdale’s remarks were followed by a big round of applause and the song “Flip, Flop and Fly” filled ATEC’s conference room, and dancers, including Tisdale, jumped out in front of the crowd to show ATEC’s guests what swing dancing is all about. It wasn’t long until members of the audience were invited to join the dancers in learning the steps it takes to swing dance.
