Our Purpose
We believe people want to do better. They just need the tools, education, and support to make it happen. DEEA works alongside dance educators, organizations, and communities to challenge harmful practices and build safer, more equitable, and inclusive educational environments.
How DEEA Began…
It started with a call for change.
In 2020, amid growing conversations surrounding social injustice and abuse within the dance industry, organizations and educators publicly committed to creating safer, more equitable, and inclusive spaces. Yet meaningful action remained limited.
DEEA was founded to help bridge the gap between intention and action.
Through visibility evaluations and community surveys, we began identifying systemic challenges and documenting lived experiences within dance education. What we discovered reinforced the urgent need for greater education, accountability, and lasting change.
Creating Change Together
Through our signature 12-hour BE COURAGEOUS: Initiate Training, we equip dance professionals with practical tools to develop policies, procedures, and accountability practices rooted in anti-racism, anti-othering, and anti-abuse. Our work draws from leaders and advocates across social justice, dance science, accessibility, and healing-centered practices to help create meaningful, sustainable change in dance education.
Because every dancer deserves a space where they can feel safe, supported, and empowered.