In June, 2025, JMBT designed and hosted the first conference in the Greater Boston area to convene the dance community for sustained discussions about its role in the local community and beyond. Dancers, choreographers, dance administrators, dance academics and other dance enthusiasts share experiences, perspectives and ideas related to the current and potential role of dance in our society. Like other DWC programs, the Conference provided opportunities to learn from one another, build trust and strengthen cohesion among the diverse members of the sector.
The three-day event affirmed DWC’s commitment to encouraging the community to examine different ways to utilize the connective power of dance for social change. Sustainable environmental justice was selected as a main focus of the Conference and was the subject of keynote speaker and Tufts Professor Julian Ageyman, Other important issues were introduced in presentations by a panel of dance activists Kenneth Bailey, Wendy Jehlen, Stephanie Scherpf and Annawon Weeden who shared their experiences with dance for organizing, education, healing and community connection.
DWC CONFERENCE 2025 also served as the springboard for the DWC Global Network that, through this website and its Community Forum, will help shape and strengthen the ways we expand dance activism to benefit our communities.