Who we are.
Community Mural Curated by Chantal Stone (Painted at BBB’s first event 2022)
Beyond the Black Box (BBB) is a an arts and cultural organization dedicated to amplifying Black voices, fostering connections, and educating through immersive experiences. Our mission is to celebrate, honor, and uplift the Black dance community by creating supportive spaces for artists to thrive. Motivated by a desire to address the lack of representation and support we encountered in our own journeys, we are committed to promoting inclusiveness, fairness, and visibility in the dance world.
BBB achieves its mission by producing dynamic multidisciplinary works, including live dance productions, community engagement initiatives, mentorship programs, and educational opportunities. Our approach seamlessly weaves together elements of popular culture with boundless enthusiasm, showcasing the remarkable accomplishments of our community.
With your support, BBB will continue to empower Black dancers and artists who champion social and political principles of inclusivity, fairness, and visibility, ultimately enriching the cultural tapestry of our community. Together, we will create a brighter future where Black voices are celebrated and heard through the transformative power of the arts.
Our Team
Chanel Stone Founder, Artistic Director
Cemiyon Barber Co-founder, Executive Director
Cleo Reed Director of Operations
Beyond the Black Box wad founded in Spring of 2022, with a deep inner drive to create the spaces needed to thrive within the Black dance community. Beyond the Black Box is an arts and cultural organization rooted in celebrating, honoring, and healing the Black dance community through sacred, intentional, safe spaces. BBB strives to empower Black artists while addressing the lack of representation and support within our community.
Beyond the Black Box, a team of Cemiyon Barber, Cleo Reed and Chanel Stone, has produced 4 events and choreographed 6 original works. Together, the team works as producers, while also performing and choreographing in every production. While embracing and acknowledging all of the different spaces Black artists occupy, our events all range in theme, intention, and curation. All of our events are experience based, involving community breath-work & meditation, community mural painting, live shea butter whipping, or hair braiding for example.