How a West Philly dance troupe gives back to its community
PHILADELPHIA — Damon "Dinksworth" Holley found his calling as hip-hop dancer on the streets of West Philadelphia. After touring the country with a professional dance company, Holley formed Project Positive, a hip-hop dance group that aims to inspire and give back to the community through workshops and public performances.
"We were at-risk youth at one point," Holley told WHYY. "That's a big reason we come back to our community: to give back and let kids know that if we can do it, you can do it too."
Mantras like "P.E.A.C.E" (Positive Energy Allows Constant Elevation) and "H.I.P-H.O.P" (Healthy Independent People Helping Other People) represent the core of Project Positive's mission to help kids build self-esteem, lasting friendships and an entrepreneurial spirit.
"It's helped me develop more creativity in my lifestyle," said Project Positive student Kevin Harris. "They were those healthy, independent folks who were there to help me. And I plan to do the same because of the encouragement and because of the motivation."
Due to COVID-19, Project Positive has postponed many performances, workshops and classes, but the company hosts weekly online hip-hop dance classes via Zoom on Mondays at 12 p.m. ET.
This report originally appeared on WHYY's "Movers & Makers."
Support Canvas
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
A vibrant immigrant neighborhood is facing change and disruption amid a phenomenon known as "climate gentrification." An exhibition in Miami…
Snoop Dogg's leg was in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris. Snoop Dogg is in Paris to help cover the games…
From K-pop to skin care, South Korea has been at the cutting edge of cultural development internationally. As a new…
A three-count indictment unsealed in federal court in Buffalo on Wednesday charges Hadi Matar with attempting to provide material support…
Bob Newhart, the deadpan accountant-turned-comedian who became one of the most popular TV stars of his time after striking gold…
Treb Heining, the self-described "balloon guy," has orchestrated the celebratory balloon drop at every GOP convention since 1988.
The nominations come just six months after the last Emmys, which were delayed by last year's Hollywood strikes. The Emmys…
After years with breast cancer, the "Beverly Hills, 90210" star died Saturday at age 53, according to a statement from…
Simmons was a court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts…
Baldwin says in an Instagram post Saturday that there "are too many people who have supported me to thank just…
A symphony orchestra at the Library of Congress commemorated NATO's 75th anniversary with an evening of music from its member…
Actor Ashley Judd is adding her voice to calls for President Joe Biden to step aside from the presidential race…
A first in the fashion world is putting a burgeoning sector on the map. A fashion show in Santa Fe,…
Special prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson repeatedly referred to Baldwin playing "make-believe" with a revolver on the set of the film…
Every year for 50 years, some 500,000 students from across the country have competed in National History Day, using arts…