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.
One of the biggest names in women's boxing, Claressa Shields, is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new biopic. Senior…
Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged "all people of all nations" to find courage during this…
An annual tradition takes on a new look to transform how audiences see "The Nutcracker." Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown…
A list of some of the year's biggest and best films, plus a few hidden gems you might have missed
The holidays are a great time to catch up on the year's best films, whether streaming at home or heading…
During the Cold War, Air Force Col. Harry Shoup was one of the commanders in charge of an early warning…
This Christmas Eve, we continue a tradition we started a few years ago with members of the U.S. military presenting…
Metallic tinsel, glittery ornaments, plastic holly that really stays green forever - they look good on your Christmas tree, holiday…
Famed musician Arturo Sandoval was among those celebrated at the 47th Kennedy Center honors in early December. But as a…
The holiday, which serves as a nationwide communal event reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression, spans seven…
The Library of Congress announced the 25 films that made it into this year's National Film Registry. The registry, started…
Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to global audiences, died on…
The newest world chess champion is also the youngest ever to claim the title. Eighteen-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju, who defeated defending…
She has painted portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor. But much of Amy Sherald's work is about filling in…
The animated PBS Kids series, "Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum," follows Xavier as he, his sister and friend meet…