our commitment to this art form

As an organization that presents and promotes Tap Dance, an art form born from African American slavery, we recognize our place in this history...and our obligation to do better. Moving forward, we are actively committed to dismantling racial inequities and the systemic oppression of black and brown people. We are resolved to be part of the solution, and determined to actively engage in this moment.

Thus Twin Cities Tap will:

- Continue to invest in and present the work of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists and BIPOC-led organizations, supporting them with money and other resources to help make their work happen and their voices heard

- Recruit and retain more diverse and inclusive staff, board, participants, and volunteers

- Educate ourselves as leaders so that we can further understand how our own biases show up in our organization and perpetuate systemic racism

- Continue to teach the history and roots of this Black American art form

- Show up, speak up, and stand up for our BIPOC communities

We commit to doing the work, challenging ourselves and those around us, and we ask you to join us in advocating for a just society. So we invite your thoughts and comments. We are here. We are listening. We are actively working for systemic change. And we know that our actions must speak louder than words.

This year we paused and re-assessed our role as white women in presenting a black art form, and as such, we hold ourselves accountable for the actions above, and aim to make the Twin Cities Tap Festival a welcoming, accessible event for all that honors the history and the brilliance of this art form.

- Brenna and Kaleena at the Twin Cities Tap Festival