What is Jean Appolon Expressions and why is it being honored for Diversity and Inclusion

Its community is diverse

Dancers

Dance class attendees

Sponsors

States "To support a full creative life for all, Jean Appolon Expressions commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, equitable nation."

Pay attention to, acknowledge, and address inequities locally and in the world

Model these values through internal and external policies of deep listening, honoring each voice, and caring across boundaries of class, race, cutlure, and even country

Stated values align with the outcome of their actions

Addresses universal themes

Trauma

VWAYAJ is an interdisciplinary production that meditates on the “lakou” and its loss in the Haitian imagination in a way that also speaks to a universal condition. Where can we find belonging? Where is home? Does it exist in the rhythms of Rara music and the undulating arms of Yanvalou?

Jean Appolon’s ANGAJE is a meditation on different forms of social oppression, including violence against homosexuals which is on the rise in Haiti, as young men are sought out, maimed and sometimes killed by mobs of anti-gay protestors. ANGAJE gives voice to this interlocking set of issues through a narrative choreographic arc rooted in Haitian dance tradition and set to music of equal artistic, cultural and political importance.

Multidisciplinary

poetry, music, costuming, photography, multimedia

Constantly learning from diverse community - and pivoting to remain accessible even through times of Covid

Jean encourages dancers, class members to pay attention to those on the street. To listen. To care

Testimonies from diverse JAE community members all point to the same thing, which in the words of one dancer: Jean Appolon and JAE is the real deal. I have healed from so much. No matter where the classes take place, the students show up. Some attending from the beginning. All have varying body types, race, ethnicity, and social condition.

Providing free dance opportunities to youth: in Haiti, DR, Lawrence.

Bridges cultural divides

A free program for young dancers highlighting connections between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Founded in 2011, Jean Appolon hoped to bring Haitian Culture to a wider audence - intended to be a bridge: connecting Haiti to the world through dance and drumming. And in turn, bringing the world together.