DR. SHERRILL BERRYMAN JOHNSON CARRYING
AND PASSING ON THE DANCE TORCH OF LEGENDS

By Sharon Dukes

(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE)Mary Rose Reeves Allen is first given credit for laying the foundation for dance in a higher education institution when she established recognition for dance as a discipline at Howard University.

Dr. Sherrill Berryman Johnson preserves the foundation, with persistence and perseverance, by picking up the torch of dance legends like Allen, and passing it on to the next generation as the Howard University Dance Major Coordinator.

In January 2003, as host for the International Association of Blacks in Dance's (IABD) 15th Annual Conference, along with Howard University, . Johnson melds her charge for upholding the integrity of the art of dance, while enriching the next generation as mentor with her aspiration for revitalizing the Black Dance community at large. Consequently, she aptly titled the theme for the conference: Timekeepers of the Flame: Passing on the Torch.

A wordsmith who weaves melodic, yet profound sentences just as well as she creates and encourages melodic dance choreography, Johnson's career spans the creative realm to include choreographer, Fulbright scholar, a teacher of the Katherine Dunham Technique, and critical writing on dance and other social issues.

She is a Full Professor and Artistic Director of Howard University Department of Theatre Arts Dance Major Program, Artistic/Executive Director of Images of Cultural Artistry Inc., and second only Chairperson of the IABD.

Notably, nearly all the legends in Black dance and the current leaders of IABD and other dance companies nationwide are teachers of dance, yet dance as an accepted "major" of academic and scholarly study as always been challenged.

Johnson observes that, "Among its many recognitions, Howard University is the only historically black college/university (HBCU) that has a Board of Trustees 1995 approved dance major offering within the university's College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre Arts."

This includes an array of globally recognized dance artists, choreographers, and directors working at Howard University like Board of Trustee member, Debbie Allen, and honorary degree recipient, Judith Jamison.

This coming year the IABD, under Johnson's direction, will honor legendary dance scholar and educator, Katherine Dunham, founder of IABD Joan Myers-Brown, and will also welcome many other notables in the world of dance during its 15th Annual Conference that will take place in Washington, D.C. January 16-19, 2003.

"The IABD annual event in honor of Blacks in dance and legendary dancers is the only one of its kind," says Johnson. "It is the only service organization in dance developed for people of African descent, which is why it is particularly important and timely that our conference theme now focuses on Timekeepers of the Flame: Passing on the Torch. It is an upcoming opportunity to honor our dance pioneers and legends of African ancestry, during the same week in which we will honor Martin Luther King, Jr. by featuring the choreography of emerging and established artists and by presenting performances by the next generation artists," says Johnson.

Boasting a membership of such renowned artists as Cleo Parker Robinson, Ann Williams, Donald Byrd, Chuck Davis, Carmen DeLavallade, and Walter Nicks, the very nature of the IABD is defined by its name. It is an organization committed to the artistry, education and documentation of dance through holding global discussions and conferences about Black aesthetics in dance.

Each IABD conference is funded, planned, and developed by the host member in a particular city. For example, last year's 2002 conference was held in Brooklyn, New York and hosted by Ronald K. Brown Evidence Dance Company. Johnson, like Brown, is responsible for administration, overall organization, assistance and funding co-sponsorships for the event.

In the meantime, Johnson and her fellow board members and participants are excited about the upcoming 15th Annual Conference. Aside from its star-studded, legendary membership and guests, the gathering features dance events throughout the week.

Celebration of its 15th year is also a celebration that challenges obstacles because the IABD Conference remains an important forum that offers Blacks in Dance (artists, dance companies, directors, choreographers and those interested) what may be the only opportunity to discuss issues specific to their art, and to set policies beneficial to the Black dance community.

For more information of the 15th Annual IABD Conference, phone (202) 806-7052 or visit the website at www.howard.edu/2003IABDConference.

A photo of Sherrill Berryman or Katherine Dunham can be obtain by emailing jfondon@unityfirst.com

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