Jemiah Webb - Love all aspects of your light despite the darkness.

Jemiah, what age did you start dancing and what did dance mean to you when you were a little girl? 

My first fundamental technical classes were at age 3-23. Rhythm was always natural to me. Dance helped me honor my fast-track mind, pattern recognition, and expressive freedom. Being a healer, dance allowed me to focus and relieve stress. Dance has always been an outlet to be true to myself.

How did dance inform your relationship with yourself as a woman growing up? 

With each style of dance, I unlock a new layer of femininity. Bellydancing with my Mom made my sacral chakra feel safe. Being a warrior of SA as a young teen once I learned majorette/auxiliary (a jazz fusion dance style based at Historical Black College University) allowed me to feel sexy, safe, stylish, and most importantly strong. Dance allows me choice and freedom for my ancestors to release past traumas and tribulations through my vessel. There are many other dance styles I want to learn globally. To be a black woman with a waistline of a goddess I allow the moon and the rhythm of the night to make me move. Dancing keeps the SheWolf in me alive and others to dance sacred and carefree.

Jemiah you say that life is sweeter with motion in your veins to keep you regulated and sane. I am sure many women can relate to this. Can you tell us how dance helps you to regulate yourself and support your well-being? 

Dance allows me to process the pain through pretty hard intensive movement. Once the freestyle motion comes to me intuitively I allow the choreography to cleanse myself and others. When I am cranky it is a sign I need to crank some music on and RELEASE before I misplace my fierce feline energy in unhealthy ways. Dance keeps my brain and waistline at bay. I love my tender tummy it adds femininity to my movement. Dance regulates my self-esteem and allows me to conquer my dreams, one step at a time

You have a technical ballet and competitive dance background with a love of city, soul, and street arts which has led to you becoming a hyper-fusion freestyle dance artist. What have you learned about different cultures and subcultures through your journey with dance and how have they influenced you?

Culture provided context as a dancer. Culture provides motive and depth as a black dancer. For me, dance is not about going viral, it is about feeling the message in your veins. I co-create art with God's heart in mind for the choreography to withstand the test of time. I am so grateful for the communities that allow me to sprinkle my magic dust all around Maryland and North Carolina. Learning new line dances from NC and teaching them to local Baltimore natives is special. Dance is universal. Black Culture Is Universal. 

The quality of our connection with our community and the place where we live influences our health. Does dance help to connect you to your people and your place?  

I have choreographed for five main counties in Maryland with the youth in schools and after-school programs since the age of 16. I also taught in North Carolina while an undergrad. My communities compare me to black legends such as Fatima Robinson (Michael Jackson and Beyonce choreographer) and Debby Allen. I am honored to be gifted and compared to the greats. My communities believe in me and they trust me with sacred free movement. Immersing in Baltimore native dances such as the “Park Heights Strut” and pairing it with a 90’s R&B Love Ballad, is the best of both worlds.

Creative self-expression is an important part of self-discovery and communicating our unique way of being in this world. Does dance help you to be your most authentic version of yourself and how?  

I love being perceived when I am flow freestyling. It is the closest I feel to my roots when I allow myself to perform freely with no limitations. I am BOLD and unapologetic with my movement. I apply my dancer attitude to my daily life to keep me on my toes (no pointe intended 😂)!

Is dance political for you or an expression of something meaningful to you?  

It is BOTH being a black dancer. My skin stands alone and it sticks to my bones. I take pride and honor in knowing that I have black Native roots and connections in Jamaica. Having beautiful children dance to Michael Jackson's “They Don't Really Care About Us” is current, political, and powerful.  How I move is through the nourishment and knowledge of my ancestors. My nameless ancestors make me jive, jiggle, and make humanity giggle. Dance brings balance and harmony,

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Have you seen dance connect and heal other women in your community? 

I've hosted heel dance classes titled “Legs, Lines, Divinely Intertwined” to embody flirty feminine feline energy. I also hosted a community line dance for all ages, I would love to do it again.

What would you like to say to a woman who has left dancing and would like to return but feels like there are obstacles? 

Dance to add to your inner and outer glow. Be proud of yourself for showing up for your best self despite the feeling is not fully present. Know that your presence is the PRESENT. Your aura deserves to be enhanced with dance! Honor the Enchantress within, she wants to be released. Love all aspects of your light despite the darkness.