SPACE FOR ALL: DiverseWorks Dance Co. breaks down barriers with help from WRCF’s Racial Equity Fund

Raechele Lovell - Photo credit: One for the Wall Photography

Raechele Lovell started her own dance company with her needs in mind – and she’s not about to apologize for advocating for herself.  

“In terms of the company itself, honestly, I started it to benefit me,” said Lovell. “We have to prioritize ourselves in this society, and we have to advocate against broken systems that marginalize people like me. I’ve been advocating for myself since I was a youth facing systemic issues without the support that I needed, who simply refused to accept the marginalized position I was given in this society.”

That’s not to suggest that DiverseWorks Dance Co. is not for others. The entire concept of Lovell’s company is built around inclusion -- “to hold space for all marginalized and racialized dance artists that are here, and the varying needs that we have.”

Lovell understands these barriers, having experienced them herself while growing up in Waterloo Region. After working in Toronto for several years, she returned, begrudgingly, to the region due to a family emergency and was surprised to learn that some of the same obstacles she faced still existed when attempting to look for artistic work.

“That frustrated me, that I noticed these cycles were not being broken, even though we were advancing in our society, that the region has changed so much from the small town that I grew up in,” she said. “But in terms of professional art and diversity, equity and inclusion, we haven’t caught up.”

That was the spark – or “rage,” as Lovell called it – that led the thirty-something dance expert to take action and build a company with a representative leadership where diverse dancers of all ages, body types and stages of professional development could feel safe, and ultimately flourish.

The company launched in the fall of 2021 to what Lovell said was immediate demand, validating her reasons for opening up shop in the first place.

Photo credit: One for the Wall Photography

At the forefront of the company has been the Emergent program, a paid apprenticeship pilot program for youth aged 16 and up aimed at paving a path forward for predominately Black dancers (though open to everybody).

Five apprentices were selected to participate. They received professional headshots and were given practical, in-person, real-world training. 

“Alongside the personal confidence-building, with our apprentices, we taught them resume-writing, taught them how to audition, we got them thinking about their artistic practices, their special skills, and what they offer,” said Lovell. “We also talked a lot about what they needed to work on, and the reality of being in the industry. We’ve given them an action immersion experience where they’re working in a workshop with us, so they have credits to put onto their resume.”

One apprentice has since secured employment on a cruise ship while two others are enrolled in dance programs at Toronto universities. One remains in the region, pursuing studies at the University of Waterloo while teaching dance at a local studio. The fifth is attending law school but will continue to dance recreationally while at school.

“It was exciting to see how they all were either able to implement those life skills into other facets of who they are or they were encouraged to go on and dance,” she said.

The Emergent program was made possible through Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF)’s Racial Equity Fund. The fund is dedicated to supporting meaningful, positive action that advances the work of organizations serving people in Waterloo Region who are Indigenous, Black and people of colour.

“It allowed me to pay each of those apprentices a salary to engage in the program. It also allowed [Executive Producer] Natalie [Sebastian] and I to carve out time to implement the program which gave us work, which was beneficial,” Lovell said of WRCF’s funding.

“If we didn’t have organizations like this, my company would not be off of the ground,” she added, adding, “We can have a genuine relationship, and I can talk with them about the barriers I’m experiencing, and I can see that they try to help.”

As for what’s next for DiverseWorks Dance Co.? Securing permanent building space is a top priority, as is continuing the Emergent program.

“This is just the beginning for us,” Lovell said.

For more information on the DiverseWorks Dance Co., and how you can support their initiatives, visit thediverse.ca.

To learn more about WRCF’s Racial Equity Fund, go to wrcf.ca/racialequity.