Colonialism sought to disrupt and erase authentic African dance traditions. Lawrence M. Jackson, Professor of Dance at George Mason University, who co-authored and edited a landmark special edition on Black Dance in the Journal of Pan African Studies, explains how Black dance sustains African cultural traditions and serves as a powerful affirmation of identity, resilience, and independence.

BIO

Lawrence M. Jackson is Professor of Dance and Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University, where he teaches Contemporary, Jazz, Dance History, and Choreography. He previously served as Associate Chair of Dance and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Alabama. A former member of the internationally acclaimed Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Jackson has performed and presented nationally and internationally, including I Walk with Spirit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has created more than 95 original works, most notably the off-Broadway production Separate and Equal, which earned an AUDELCO Award nomination for Best Choreography. A noted scholar of Black dance, Jackson has published in multiple academic journals and co-edited a landmark special issue of the Journal of Pan African Studies devoted entirely to Black Dance. He also serves on the editorial board of Siyabonana: The Journal of Africana Studies. Jackson holds a BFA from Southern Mississippi and an MFA from Florida State University.