By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Evan Williams

Evan Williams is redefining caricatures.

His aim with these caricature-esque portraits is not to poke fun or demean, but, rather, to honor and pay tribute to cultural icons. The ultimate goal is to tell a story.

Evan’s story as an artist begins at a very young age. He says his interest in art started when he was just 8 or 9 years old. Throughout his childhood, Evan bounced from town to town whenever his father moved for his military career: Colorado, Virginia, Kentucky — even Belgium — and, ultimately, Ohio.

“My mother and father did a really good job of encouraging me and giving me the tools I needed to further myself,” Evan says. “I was always one of those kids who, when given the choice, would stay in the house to draw and paint. I’ve always been a more creative type.”

“I was always one of those kids who, when given the choice, would stay in the house to draw and paint. I’ve always been a more creative type.”

In high school, Evan became more serious about his craft. That was due, in part, to the influence of a few memorable teachers who empowered him to pursue his passion. He went on to graduate from the Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) and, today, he’s a visual storyteller in this city.

After a hiatus from his pursuit of the arts, Evan returned to his craft about 10 months ago.

“I got my art pad out and started sketching again. Then, I got my computer out and I created my own brushes in Photoshop. I started playing around and dusting the rust off, and I’ve just been seeing a lot of returns on my efforts,” Evan says.

In Oct. 2018, Evan became a RAW artist. RAW is an international community of creatives that hosts platforms for expression both online and off.

“Right after Thanksgiving, RAW had a big event here, locally. I got into that event. It was a huge show, and I got a lot of great feedback from it,” Evan says. “Since that, I’ve been trying to pump out as much stuff as I can.”

Evan is accepting commission pieces, working on a children’s book and selling prints. He also reached out to Columbus businesses — tattoo parlours, coffee houses, barber shops and more — to hang his work around the city. So far, the response is encouraging.

“It’s kind of weird to see someone react in an overwhelmingly excited way about something I’ve made. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, I do,” Evan says. “It’s just unusual to see something you create that can generate so much joy and laughter and happiness in someone’s life. That’s rare.”

“It’s kind of weird to see someone react in an overwhelmingly excited way about something I’ve made. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, I do. It’s just unusual to see something you create that can generate so much joy and laughter and happiness in someone’s life. That’s rare.”

Evan’s Work

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

On Valentines Day, the Gateway Film Center will host a special screening of “My Great Day in Harlem” for children from Columbus City Schools.

The documentary, which follows five local artists on a landmark journey to Harlem, was originally released at the Gateway Film Center on Nov. 30, 2018. On Thursday, it returns to the big screen to inspire the young minds of Columbus. After the film, these lucky kids will have an opportunity to ask each of the featured artists questions about their experiences and the realities of being a creative in this city.

“My Great Day in Harlem” is more than a documentary. It’s an opportunity for kids in our community to connect with and relate to passionate creatives. The people featured in this film are our contemporary trailblazers. They’re our role models for the next generation.

Meet the stars of “My Great Day in Harlem”

TRIPP FONTANE

“Art is not a right. It is a necessity by virtue of the people… I believe that art is the translation of the cosmos.”

Originally from the small town of Xenia, Ohio, Tripp Fontane moved to Columbus to find new opportunities in the realm of poetry. Before breaking into the spoken-word scene, Tripp focused primarily on rap. That all changed when he went to an open mic and decided to perform a song without the beat. People started calling him a poet, and Tripp says he still hasn’t corrected them. Today, he boasts international acclaim.

SAMARA TILLMAN

“We have so many talented people here. I think that the vision for the future of fashion in Columbus is bright.”

Samara was born and raised in Columbus. She left for college, but after graduating from Kentucky State with her degree in fashion merchandising and business management, Samara returned to Columbus where she ultimately opened a fashion boutique in 2005. For the next five years, she ran boutiques all around the Columbus area. Today, she runs a dance studio and continues to design. She plans to release her next clothing line in fall of 2019.

JAY SWIFA

“Whether I affect one person, or five people, or a million people, I just feel like I have insight to add on the world today.”

Jay is a musician who hails from the north side Columbus, but he feels close to every corner of the city. He grew up surrounded by creative energy — his father was a musician and his mother was a dancer. With all of those influences, Jay developed a witty, creative sound from a young age. After lots of success with his former group, Fly Union, Jay set out to work on his solo sound.

PERCY KING

“The older I get, the more I understand what it means to celebrate your heroes. My work celebrates heroes.”

Percy is a Columbus native who was raised on the south side of the city. He says that he’s always been an artist and a creative, but he didn’t think of pursuing art as a career until recently. Instead, Percy devoted most of his time to his football career. His creative outlet over the years became woodwork and home improvement. Today, he’s transitioned that passion for woodwork into fine art portraits carved out of layers of wood.

LORI LINDSEY

“Whenever I am honored to dance in front of other people, my goal — my intent — is to move them. Whether it’s to think a different thought, to take action on something, maybe it’s just to brighten their day or to  give them hope. It’s more than steps to a song.”

Lori has lived across the globe, from Dublin to L.A., but she’s originally from Columbus. Her passion is dance, which she started at only 3 or 4 years old. In high school, Lori briefly stopped dancing after hearing hurtful gossip from the dance community. Today, she’s proud to say that she doesn’t let someone else’s opinion define her or determine her future. Now, Lori inspires young dancers at Elite Performance Academy.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Alvoyce Douglas

Alvoyce “Voszi” Douglas began drawing fashion designs from a very young age. Four years old, to be specific. She says that while she and her brother, Sylvester, waited for school to start they would draw characters. They drew an ongoing saga that they called “The Lovers.” He drew the male figure and she drew the female. And — as is to be expected — Voszi’s character was always impeccably dressed.

Today, Voszi is a Columbus-based fashion designer with two clothing lines: Voszi Designs and the Alvoyce Collection. She’s also an artist who designs jewelry and accessories.

“I always wanted to be a designer. I didn’t know that I’d have to make clothes. I really thought somebody was going to sew for me because I was so fabulous,” Voszi laughs. “I drew my whole life. But I started sewing when I was 25.”

Learning to sew had a profound impact on Voszi’s style. She quickly developed a dislike for patterns. Instead, she prefers to sew more freely. The pieces in her collection are versatile, bold and, above all, undeniably Voszi.

“I do one of a kind designs. No buttons, no zippers and no patterns. And I make everything this way: coats, jackets, dresses, accessories, everything,” Voszi says. “I use a lot of colors and I like to mix patterns together. My clothes aren’t conservative at all. When myself or a client is wearing one of my designs and walks into the room, some people might love it. Some people might say, ‘Oh, that’s too much.’ Some people might not like it at all. But everyone will notice it.”

“I use a lot of colors and I like to mix patterns together. My clothes aren’t conservative at all. When myself or a client is wearing one of my designs and walks into the room, some people might love it. Some people might say, ‘Oh, that’s too much.’ Some people might not like it at all. But everyone will notice it.”

Voszi and her designs stand out in a crowd. She’s never been one to shy away from honest self expression. That’s, in part, why she developed her own annual fashion show.

“When I started in 1982, people wouldn’t let me do shows. A lot of them weren’t feeling what I was doing,” Voszi says. “So that’s how I kind of birthed having my own show.”

In 2018, Voszi hosted her 36th annual fashion show. And she has no intention of slowing down. In fact, this year Voszi might host two fashion shows in Columbus — one in the spring and one in the fall.

Despite the resistance Voszi faced in Columbus during the start of her fashion career, she managed to pave a way to success. The places that once rejected her designs now proudly include them in shows. Now, Voszi hopes to create a space that supports emerging designers.

“I’d like to see more boutiques for small business people to show their clothing. I also plan to have my own fashion house and studio space with an area for emerging artists because I remember what it was like,” Voszi says. “Fashion is just important to me. So is art. That’s because fashion is art. To me, fashion is the art that you’re wearing.”

“Fashion is just important to me. So is art. That’s because fashion is art. To me, fashion is the art that you’re wearing.”

Contact Voszi

Voszi Designs: 614.483.4099

alvoyce.douglas@gmail.com

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Bryant Anthony (Bee1ne)

For his contribution to The Gallery at the Gateway Film Center, Bryant Anthony (or Bee1ne) chose a piece that has a history with the Harlem Renaissance celebration in Columbus. It was on display during the Harlem Renaissance Experience at Gallery Hop in Aug. 2018.

The painting, “Beauty from Chaos,” is a collaboration between Bee1ne and Mr. Robot Geek. It speaks to the collaborative nature of this celebration, as well as the importance of love for self and others.

“It’s raw emotion in a freestyle piece, and it’s both of our styles put together,” Bryant says. “We felt that this piece was already essential to the Harlem Renaissance project after it was displayed at gallery hop. So we wanted to continue to have it on display, instead of having it sit in a studio. And we thought Gateway was the perfect place to continue to display this piece.”

“Beauty from Chaos” speaks to a motif throughout much of Bee1ne’s work, which is love. For Bryant, love is one of the most important components to the Harlem Renaissance.

“I realized that people of the Harlem Renaissance did it for themselves and nobody else. They showed each other love because they couldn’t get love from the outside world.”

“I realized that people of the Harlem Renaissance did it for themselves and nobody else,” Bryant says. “They showed each other love because they couldn’t get love from the outside world.”

“Beauty from Chaos” will be on display at The Gallery at the Gateway Film Center through February 2019.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Shelbi Harris-Roseboro

A central theme throughout all of the pieces selected for our Gateway Gallery is identity. We told each artist to select a piece that represents themselves in one way or another.

For Shelbi Harris-Roseboro, or Shel10, her piece called “Face of my father” was the perfect fit. She says that “Face of my father” represents who she’s become as an artist over the years. It’s also notable; “Face of my father” has been shown in more than a dozen national and local shows since its creation in 2012.

“The piece shows my style,” Shelbi says. “Pointillism, colorful choices, things like that. I think it also represents my African roots, and there’s a spiritual connection for me with this piece. It’s just an all around piece that I thought would be good to represent me.”

“I think it also represents my African roots, and there’s a spiritual connection for me with this piece. It’s just an all around piece that I thought would be good to represent me.”

Shelbi is a Columbus native — “born and raised” — who currently works as a graphic designer, mixed-media artist, teacher and gallery director. She says that the Harlem Renaissance is a unique platform for this city.

“The cool thing about the Harlem Renaissance is that everybody gets to be themselves and be celebrated for who they are,” Shelbi says. “I enjoyed the show and all the pieces in it. I know and respect all of the people in it because everyone has their own lane, their own style and their own way of going about being an artist and a creative. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

“I enjoyed the show and all the pieces in it. I know and respect all of the people in it because everyone has their own lane, their own style and their own way of going about being an artist and a creative. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Shelbi’s work will remain on display in the Gateway Gallery through February of 2019. Prints of her piece, “Face of my father,” are available upon request. Click here to learn more.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos courtesy of Wendy Kendrick

When asked to choose a piece for The Gallery at Gateway Film Center, Wendy Kendrick ultimately settled on “Nona.”

“Nona” is Latin for nine or ninth. It refers, specifically, to the ninth month of pregnancy. That’s significant because, for Wendy, this piece represents a time of delivery in her life. She originally created it as one of a 12-part series for an exhibit called “#[un]Defined Visible/Invisible Black Woman,” which opened in March of 2017 in Oakland, California.

Since then, that original exhibit has grown and traveled across the country. In November of 2017, the show opened right here in Columbus.

“I feel like I’m really at one of the best places I’ve been in my journey as an artist. A lot of the things that challenged me when I was young in the arts no longer challenge me. ‘Nona,’ as a piece, speaks to that deliverance. A time of delivery.”

“For me, it was a time of delivery, both in terms of my work and in terms of where I am as an artist,” Wendy says. “I feel like I’m really at one of the best places I’ve been in my journey as an artist. A lot of the things that challenged me when I was young in the arts no longer challenge me. ‘Nona,’ as a piece, speaks to that deliverance. A time of delivery.”

Wendy calls this style of artwork a “quilted portrait mask” because it’s highly influenced by the African masks that she’s studied over the course of her life.

Today, Wendy is a full-time mixed media and textile artist based in Columbus, where she’s resided for more than 25 years.

Wendy’s Work

Wendy’s work is on display through February at The Gallery at the Gateway Film Center.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

When Percy King finally made it to the NFL after years of hard work, he had an epiphany: real people play in the NFL.

“Looking around, I thought, ‘The NFL always seemed larger than life. It always seemed unattainable.’ But, ultimately, it’s just football,” Percy says. “We were running the same amount of laps and running the same plays, except with so much more at stake. But, at the end of the day, it’s still the same game I’ve been playing since I was young.”

This realization didn’t demean the value of his hard work. If anything, it solidified Percy’s philosophy that young, everyday people can — and do — achieve greatness. Whether the ultimate goal is play in the NFL, run a business or impact the world, real people reach those audacious goals every day.  

Unfortunately, Percy’s football career was short-lived. Professionally, he worked in sales until about three years ago when Percy launched himself on an entirely different path. Today, he’s a full-time artist.

Building Portraits

To the unfamiliar eye, Percy’s decision to pursue art looks unexpected. In reality, fine art represents the culmination of all of his life experiences.

As a child growing up in Columbus, Percy says drawing was a form of entertainment. He would go to the Shepherd Library on the corner of 5th and Nelson to pick up books on artists like Norman Rockwell. Then, he would meticulously copy his favorite images. The more he practiced drawing, the more skilled he became.

“I became really good at drawing, but never really saw myself as an artist or wanting to pursue an art career,” Percy says. “At a young age, I wanted to join the army or be a football player like any other 10-year-old at the time.”

Percy devoted nearly all of his time to sports. After his professional football career ended, he still sketched occasionally, but it wasn’t as fruitful as before.

“The issue was my shoulders. They were so banged up from football that I had pinched nerves. I actually dislocated my shoulders in college. It left me with bursitis,” Percy says. “Any time I sat down in certain positions or made certain wrist motions, my entire arm — my nerves — would just inflame up. It was really painful. So it was just very uncomfortable to draw.”

“The issue was my shoulders. They were so banged up from football that I had pinched nerves. I actually dislocated my shoulders in college. It left me with bursitis. Any time I sat down in certain positions or made certain wrist motions, my entire arm — my nerves — would just inflame up. It was really painful. So it was just very uncomfortable to draw.”

That shoulder damage left Percy in search of another creative outlet. But he didn’t have to look far beyond his front door.

“That outlet ended up being woodwork. I bought my first house when I was 23, and the first thing I bought was a table saw because I knew that I wanted to fix up my house. I didn’t necessarily know what I was going to do with the saw, but I bought it anyway,” Percy says. “My philosophy was that if anything ever went wrong in my house or I needed to upgrade something, then I was going to do it myself.”

“My philosophy was that if anything ever went wrong in my house or I needed to upgrade something, then I was going to do it myself.”

After decades of refurbishing and upgrading homes, Percy became an expert with the tools of his trade. Years of never-ending home improvement projects take a toll, though. When Percy and his wife moved to their current home, they decided to buy a much newer house.

That meant that, for the first time in 10 years, Percy didn’t have a project.

In his newfound free time, Percy researched and experimented with making furniture. Finally, he decided he wanted to teach himself how to make inlays.

“I drew this picture of Bob Marley that I’d seen to teach myself the inlay process, and I was really mistakenly going down the wrong road,” Percy says. “I kind of knew I was doing the inlay wrong, but I had a feeling that this is something that I liked. I eventually decided that it was a piece of art.”

Percy thought that the piece was nearly complete. He was about to glue all of the components together on a flat surface, when he had a realization and thought, “What would it look like if I stacked pieces of wood in between the layers and made it three dimensional?” That was his ‘aha’ moment.

Not long after, Percy transitioned to creating these portraits full time, and he’s dubbed his process “The Shaolin Wood Technique.” For Percy, the subject of each piece is a strategic choice.

“The older I get, the more I understand what it means to celebrate your heroes,” Percy says. “I would like to see some of my heroes celebrated. That’s how I honed in on my first series, which was the legends of hip hop.”

“I would like to see some of my heroes celebrated. That’s how I honed in on my first series, which was the legends of hip hop.”

Today, Percy is one of five local artists featured in our upcoming documentary, “My Great Day in Harlem.” His work illustrates that the spirit of the Renaissance is still alive in the ways that artists create today.

“These people who were creating new music, dance, poetry and literature in the Harlem Renaissance — they’re 20-year-olds. These are young people,” Percy says. “This wasn’t a bunch of old guys sitting around pontificating over brandy. These were people who were out there having fun and, at the same time, contributing to what it means to be American.”

Percy’s Work

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

Samara Tillman says that fashion is in her blood.

Her mother was a seamstress who could work magic with fabric. So, by the time Samara reached middle school, she was creating designs that her mother brought to life.

“In middle school, I was making up outfits to wear to school,” Samara says. “The first thing I designed was actually a cheerleading uniform. I went to Champion Middle School and, at the time, we didn’t have cheerleaders. So I said we were a spirit team, and I designed a little t-shirt and a skirt and my mom made them.”

Samara decided to attend Kentucky State University, where she earned her degree in fashion merchandising and business management.

“I don’t think there was a ‘deciding’ moment to pursue fashion as my career,” Samara say. “It was just always a part of what I wanted to do. I’ve always said I wanted to be something in fashion… In college I would style my friends when we attended events. We were the only ones at the basketball games wearing  fur shawls and embellished jeans before they were trends.”

“It was just always a part of what I wanted to do. I’ve always said I wanted to be something in fashion… In college I would style my friends when we attended events. We were the only ones at the basketball games wearing  fur shawls and embellished jeans before they were trends.”

After graduating from undergrad, Samara returned to Columbus to work for the Ohio Department of Mental Health. In 2005, she left that job to open her first boutique. She owned and operated E.L.I.T.E. Studios, a fashion boutique with multiple locations, from 2005 to 2010.

Samara’s boutique reflected her unique sense of style.

“I always would describe my style as sophisticated funk. I love being sophisticated. My mom taught me that. Back in the day, a woman didn’t go out unless she had her makeup fully done,  her gloves on, her purse, everything matching. So, I like the sophistication of being a lady and being classy, but I’m also funky,” Samara says. “My hair is normally shaved on both sides, and I like individuality. I want to be ladylike, but I don’t want to look like every other lady.”

“I always would describe my style as sophisticated funk. I love being sophisticated. My mom taught me that. Back in the day, a woman didn’t go out unless she had her makeup fully done,  her gloves on, her purse, everything matching. So, I like the sophistication of being a lady and being classy, but I’m also funky.”

While fashion is still an integral part of Samara’s life, she’s currently on a career path that she never expected. She went from working in fashion, to the nonprofit sector, to education and, ultimately, to dance.

“Today, I’m the owner of a dance studio, which I never expected,” Samara says. “But, I do get to create really fancy, outlandish dance costumes for my dancers. So, I took a turn from ready-to-wear fashion to performance wear.”

Despite her shift in focus, Samara says that people are already asking her when she’ll release her next ready-to-wear line. For those that are curious, she’s currently in “creation” mode, and hopes to release her revamped ready-to-wear line by Fall 2019.

“Columbus is constantly making its place on the fashion map,” Samara says. “We have so many talented people here. I think that the vision for the future is bright. As long as we keep collaborating, keep providing outlets for those in the fashion industry to showcase who they are in the city and abroad, then the the sky’s the limit.”

“We have so many talented people here. I think that the vision for the future is bright. As long as we keep collaborating, keep providing outlets for those in the fashion industry to showcase who they are in the city and abroad, then the the sky’s the limit.”

Samara is among five, local artists who traveled on a trip from Columbus to Harlem to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance. To commemorate that trip, we’ve created a docuseries that traces the journey of each artist. To see Samara’s trip to Harlem, reserve your seat at our big screen premiere at the Gateway Film Center on November 30.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

His father was a musician and his mother was a dancer. Jayswifa jokes that, growing up, he didn’t have a choice but to practice an artistic craft.

In his childhood home on the north side of Columbus, Jayswifa’s father always had a music studio in the basement. His father was also heavily involved in their church, where he was lead musician.

“I went to this church where pretty much every rapper in Columbus went to or came through at some point,” Jayswifa says. “I couldn’t help but be around it because we were young, like 12 or 13. That’s where I started meeting my rhyming friends and I later formed a group. I just couldn’t help but join.”

“I couldn’t help but be around it because we were young, like 12 or 13. That’s where I started meeting my rhyming friends and I later formed a group. I just couldn’t help but join.”

In high school, music transitioned from a hobby to something more for Jayswifa.

“From there, I just never looked back. I always knew it’s what I wanted to do,” Jayswifa says. “When I came to high school, I played sports but then, as I turned 14 or 16, I kind of abandoned all of the sports I was playing and went full time rapping. And making sure I had good grades, too.”

“From there, I just never looked back. I always knew it’s what I wanted to do. When I came to high school, I played sports but then, as I turned 14 or 16, I kind of abandoned all of the sports I was playing and went full time rapping. And making sure I had good grades, too.”

Jayswifa says that music was his sport and his release. After a lot of hard work, his group, Fly Union, rose to notariety. Following the release of their debut album, TGTC (The Greater Than Club), Fly Union rose to the top of the iTunes New Hip Hop chart and worked with artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Pusha T.

About two years ago, the group Fly Union (Jerreau, Iyeball and Jayswifa) decided that it was time for them to focus on their solo careers. Jayswifa assisted Jerreau in production for his debut album “Never How You Plan.” One of the songs from that album, “Really Got It,” gained national attention and was recently selected as part of the NBA 2K19 soundtrack. This year, Jayswifa released his solo project, Enigma.

“Dropping my most recent project was really just about finding myself and getting my feet back in the game.”

“Dropping my most recent project was really just about finding myself and getting my feet back in the game,” Jayswifa says. “I’ve definitely found my voice. But that took a while. I’ve been doing music for this long and never putting out a solo project, and people know me as more of a producer than a rapper. I really wanted to showcase all of my skills.”

This project is just the beginning of Jayswifa’s solo career. He says that he plans to continue honing his craft moving forward.

“I feel like everybody, honestly, does something important,” Jayswifa says. “Whether you affect one person or five people or a million people. I just feel like I have insight to add on the world today.”

Jayswifa is among five, local artists who traveled on a trip from Columbus to Harlem to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance. To commemorate that trip, we’ve created a docuseries that traces the journey of each artist. To see Jayswifa’s trip to Harlem, reserve your seat at our big screen premiere at the Gateway Film Center on November 30.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Marshall Shorts

When Lori Lindsey enters a room her presence is distinct. From her posture to the way she shifts her weight, it’s clear that she possesses a wealth of kinesthetic awareness. That cognizant attention to movement is rooted in years of devotion to dance training.

Lori took her first ballet lesson when she was only 3 or 4 years old. Not long thereafter, she expanded her repertoire to styles such as jazz and tap. Then, after seeing the The Whiz with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, Lori fell in love with the idea of life on Broadway.

Those aspirations came to a halt, though, before Lori reached high school.

“I overheard someone talking about me in a not-so-positive light. They said, basically, that I would never be dancer, that I don’t look like a dancer and that nobody wanted to see me on stage,” Lori says. “I took on their opinion of me and allowed it to define me. You’ve heard that phrase before: ‘Don’t let somebody’s opinion about you define you or  or your dreams.’ But I was young. And I did.”

“I took on their opinion of me and allowed it to define me. You’ve heard that phrase before: ‘Don’t let somebody’s opinion about you define you or  or your dreams.’ But I was young. And I did.”

Fortunately, Lori was reintroduced to dance as an adult. Today, she  performs professionally, and she was recently selected to participate in the Lincoln Theatre’s ‘Backstage at the Lincoln’ local artist showcase. Moreover, she was among five, local artists selected as part of the Harlem Renaissance campaign to go on a trip to Harlem.

“When I dance is when I feel most beautiful,” Lori says. “Dance is freedom. It allows me to do and be whatever I want to without apologies, without caring about anything else  or anyone else. When I dance, it’s just a release. Truly.”

“When I dance is when I feel most beautiful.”

Lori also has the ability to use her personal reflection through dance to move those that watch her perform. It’s a personally valuable experience for her, but it’s also a form of expression that she intentionally shares with her audience.

“Whenever I am honored to dance in front of other people, my goal — my intent — is to move them,” Lori say. “Whether it’s to think a different thought, to take action on something, maybe it’s just to brighten their day or to  give them hope. It’s more than steps to a song.”

“Whether it’s to think a different thought, to take action on something, maybe it’s just to brighten their day or to  give them hope. It’s more than steps to a song.”

That intention informs each of Lori’s movements, and she knows that she’s on the right path when she hears feedback from her audience.

“What really really gets me is when people want to hug me, or they’ll say, ‘This reminded me of my grandmother,’ or ‘You brought me to tears because I’ve been feeling this,’” Lori says. “That, to me, is so much more than, ‘Hey, you did a great job.’ And because I get that response on a consistent basis, I know that I am supposed to dance. I’m supposed to be dancing to change people. To move people.”

“I’m supposed to be dancing to change people. To move people.”

Lori’s recent journey to Harlem as a part of the Harlem Renaissance celebration also encourages her to push boundaries and move forward with dance. In fact, while walking the streets of Harlem, someone stopped her to ask if she was a dancer.

“I’m thinking, ‘There are thousands of dancers walking around New York all the time.’ I don’t know why this person decided to stop and ask me if I was a dancer,” Lori says. “But, looking at me, they thought I was a dancer.”

Not that someone else’s opinion would impact Lori’s work. Despite the obstacles she faced at a young age , or, perhaps, because of them, Lori encourages everyone around her to pursue their passions without fear.

“I just have this hunger to do more with my art,” Lori says. “If you dream bigger, you welcome those things into your life. And I’m starting to see that. I’m dreaming bigger. I’m working hard. I am going after more opportunities than I did in the past.”