STRENGTH STRENGTH
PASSION PASSION
ATTITUDE ATTITUDE
FIERCE FIERCE
SEXY SEXY
BOLD BOLD
MAHOGANY
As an artist there are certain people that you follow simply because you like their style of creativity. They inspire you and they help you to think outside your box. Whether it's how appealing they are when they are performing, how technically sound they are, or the connection they have with their audience; artists are always sparking new thoughts & ideas within each other. So, when you put together a group of (black) women who all have their own way of moving & a great choreographer....that's a force to be reckoned with!!!
I wanted to sit down with Jonathan Bryant, a great friend of mine and, the brains behind mahogany. I wanted to know where his idea of choosing women of the same shade originated. Now let's be honest, color/shade plays a big part in what type of gigs you receive and typically the darker the skin the further you are away from a leading role. Which is why I think it's ABSOLUTELY AMAZING that he chose to highlight these fierce, talented, forceful, purpose-filled women!! They have skills and you can't take that away from any of them. Don't believe me? Let's meet the fabulous ladies of Mahogany.
ASHLEY NEAL
THE REBEL
"Be strong enough to let go and patient enough to wait for what you deserve"
AUDRI WOOTEN
SPONTANEOUS
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Illuminate, Clubesque
DESIREE DIXON
PASSIONATE
"So let us not give in doing what is fine, for in due time we will reap if we do not tire out"
Galatians 6:9
Ledisi, Demetria McKinney, August Alsina
NAOMI JAMES
COLORFUL
"Never apologize for what you feel, its like saying sorry for being real"
Let It Shine, Get On Up, Pitch Perfect 2, B.O.B.
PRINCESS MBANUZUE
CONFIDENT
"Never COMPETE or COMPARE... CONGRATULATE and CONTINUE to strive for GREATNESS!"
Tamar Braxton, B.O.B, T-Pain
STEFANIE OKEKE
UNIQUE
"Walk by faith, not by site"
Kalenna
Now that we're all acquainted, let's get a deeper look into the origin of Mahogany. Below are words from founder, creative director, & choreographer Jonathan Bryant.
The Idea
"The idea for Mahogany came about after a piece I did for the dance showcase Mad Expressions. The original idea was to use three different girls with different skin tones. Unfortunately, I was not able to use the girls I planned to so, I went a different route. I chose to use three brown skin girls who were friends of mine (Naomi, Ashley, Audri) to do the piece instead which turned out great and had great responses. Talking with the girls, the idea of putting together a group of fierce, confident, strong black woman came to life, Mahogany was the best name for the group."
The Group
"I am happy with the group and I love each and every one of them; they call themselves Mahogany sisters. I think the girls dance well, but as in any group, there needs to be a sense of gelling together and looking like one. The ladies are still getting to know each other on a dance level as well as getting my style of choreography, but I have all faith in myself and my girls to look great."
The Dream
"I see the group growing way beyond what I initially imagined a year ago when the idea of Mahogany was born. There are people who support the group and loved the idea in the beginning stages which leads me to believe that even more people will be behind the movement once we gain popularity. My ultimate dream for the group is for them to be a like a Pussycat Doll troupe with their own shows in Vegas and LA and even create a singing group, all though none of my girls now can sing lol."
Priceless
"Each dancer is different in their personality and dance styles. In my head, I categorize them as a certain aspect of the group that without them, the group will be incomplete."
"I choreograph based on feeling. The feeling doesn’t necessarily have to be a real emotion; I just have to connect with the song. When I create choreography for class, workshops, and shows, the music I use isn’t a random choice. I have listened to the song and a light bulb pops in my head that says “Hey, this is the song!” and the creative process begins. When choreographing for artists and productions, I think I make more of a personal note on my choreography because I want people to see me through the vision of the artist or show. Another big thing is that I listen to music; not just the words and singing but what is going on in the background. Sometimes the background rides harder than the melody, then I just allow my body to do what it do."
"My ultimate goal is to be an artistic director. I always tell people when I watch “This Is It” Michael Jackson movie, Kenny Ortega was the right head man to Michael and running the show and that’s when I said “He is who I want to be like…” My mind is always running with ideas for shows, videos, concerts so why not embrace the gift and take it to the highest level. My short term goals are to become a force in the dance industry as a dancer and choreographer and not limit myself to just commercial dance work. There are many layers to the dance industry that I do not want to restrict myself. Of course, Mahogany is on this band wagon. I think this idea can become a big thing and now is when I put the work in to get it where I know it can be."
the WERKing dancer is THANKFUL for the many Shades of Mahogany.
Watch and see why below!
