Black Girls Dance

- 8701 S Bennett Ave, Chicago, IL 60617

For families across the Illinois region, particularly in and around Chicago, Black Girls Dance (BGD) is more than just a dance studio—it is a vital non-profit organization and a transformative cultural institution. Rooted in the pillars of excellence, empowerment, and education, BGD has established itself as the premier destination for young dancers of color. The organization’s mission is clear: to champion and elevate dancers of color by providing a comprehensive and transformative journey that includes top-tier training, high-level exposure, and unparalleled performance opportunities.

The unique strength of Black Girls Dance lies in its ability to offer rigorous, professional-level dance instruction—spanning classical ballet, high-energy hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and more—within an environment that is overwhelmingly positive, nurturing, and professional. The non-profit is dedicated to ensuring Black and Brown dancers receive equitable opportunity and high-quality instruction, challenging traditional barriers that have often made mainstream dance spaces unwelcoming or biased.

The organization’s owner, a kind soul with over 20 years of professional dance experience, serves as a business leader, dedicated teacher, mentor, and creative force, ensuring a high level of rigor and love is infused into every class. This professional yet supportive environment translates directly into measurable growth for students, as evidenced by local customer reviews. Parents speak of the amazing growth in their daughters' dance skills and, critically, their confidence. Being part of the BGD community is described as "heartwarming," particularly due to the inclusivity where instructors and even fellow students lean in to help others grasp challenging concepts. This community-first approach makes Black Girls Dance an indispensable resource for personal and artistic development in the Chicagoland area.

Black Girls Dance is not just focused on producing skilled dancers; it is committed to shaping future leaders. The organization uses dance as a powerful vehicle to instill discipline, teamwork, goal-setting, and an unshakable self-belief that extends far beyond the studio. As one of its core partners, the former First Lady Michelle Obama, has stated, "Black Girls Dance is not just about dance. It's about confidence. It's about growth. It's about passion.” This holistic investment in students’ lives—including mentorship, leadership development, and college guidance—makes BGD a foundational element of the arts and community landscape in Illinois.

Black Girls Dance is centrally located on Chicago’s South Side, offering accessible, downtown-level training right in the community it serves. This strategic placement addresses a historical need for top-tier arts education to be equitably distributed across the city.

The studio operates out of a highly significant cultural landmark, the Mayfair Arts Center (MAC), which is a program of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) and continues the legacy of the former Mayfair Academy of Fine Arts. The official address is:

• 8701 S Bennett Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, USA

As a non-profit organization and pre-professional academy, Black Girls Dance offers a comprehensive curriculum for young dancers aged 3 to 18, structured into age-appropriate programs. The programs are designed to provide both foundational and advanced technical training across multiple disciplines.

The core dance programs and services available to Chicago and Illinois families include:

• The Academy (Ages 3–18): Offers a rigorous schedule of technique classes for dancers of all abilities, nurturing over 150 students. Classes are structured by age groups:
  • Little Stars (Ages 3–7): Combination classes covering creative movement, ballet, tap foundations, and beginning Acro.
  • Juniors (Ages 8–11): Full-hour technique classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Pointe preparation.
  • Teens (Ages 13–18): Advanced technique classes including Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Acro/Tumbling.
• Pre-Professional Ensembles: Features the highly dedicated Junior and Senior Ensembles (a collective of approximately 25 members) who receive intensive training in disciplines like Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Horton Technique, Contemporary, Tumbling, Hip Hop, and Choreography Lab.
• Performance Opportunities: Students are given opportunities to showcase their talent in high-profile venues, such as the annual showcase production at the Harris Theater in downtown Chicago, providing professional-level exposure.
• Master Classes and Workshops: Hosts special events, like the annual Black Girls Dance Conference, featuring guest instructors who are professional performers from major touring productions (e.g., The Lion King).
• Scholarship and Career Guidance: The organization awards a $1,000 scholarship annually to a deserving pre-professional dancer and provides mentorship, leadership development, and college/career guidance to its students.

Black Girls Dance stands out in the Illinois arts community not only for its quality of instruction but for its profound social and cultural impact. Its key highlights underscore its value as a non-profit dedicated to holistic youth development.

Distinctive features and highlights of this organization include:

• Mission-Driven Excellence: The core mission to champion and elevate dancers of color creates an intentional space for empowerment, focusing on building authentic confidence in every student.
• Inclusivity and Nurturing Environment: The professional, caring instruction is paired with a highly inclusive peer environment. Customer reviews praise the heartwarming practice of older students and instructors actively assisting dancers who are struggling with new steps.
• Professional Leadership: The founder and owner is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years in the dance world, acting as a powerful, beautiful role model, mentor, and strong business woman for the students.
• Holistic Development: BGD's focus extends beyond dance technique to include mentorship, leadership training, and wellness support, using dance as a vehicle to develop life skills like discipline and resilience.
• Cultural Significance: Being a core resident partner at the Mayfair Arts Center ensures the continuation of a six-decade legacy of dance instruction on the South Side, including the training of notable alumni.
• High-Level Performance Exposure: Providing opportunities for students to perform on iconic stages like the Harris Theater, which is a major statement on visibility and belonging for young dancers of color.

Illinois families and prospective students interested in enrolling in the Academy, learning about the Ensembles, or seeking performance information should use the following contact details. Registration for classes is strongly encouraged to secure a spot in the sought-after programs.

The contact details for the Chicago location are:

• Address: 8701 S Bennett Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, USA
• Phone: (312) 618-7673 (Also listed as Mobile Phone: +1 312-618-7673)

For Illinois parents seeking a dance education for their children, choosing Black Girls Dance is an investment in far more than just dance technique. It is choosing a community, a mentorship program, and a commitment to professional excellence. BGD successfully bridges the gap between top-tier, rigorous training—often associated with expensive downtown studios—and a loving, culturally affirming environment right on the South Side of Chicago.

What makes Black Girls Dance uniquely worth choosing is the visible, tangible impact on a child's confidence and sense of belonging. The environment is actively shaped to be positive, nurturing, and professional, ensuring that every dancer feels seen, valued, and unstoppable. The organization’s success is measured not only by the beautiful, mesmerizing, and inspiring recitals it produces but by the growth of its students into confident, disciplined young women ready to lead in any field. By joining the BGD community, Chicago and Illinois families are supporting a non-profit that is actively shifting narratives and creating equitable pathways for the next generation of dancers and leaders.

Black Girls Dance

8701 S Bennett Ave, Chicago, IL 60617, USA