Dancing and Making a Difference

The Stars of New York Dance is a first-of-its-kind charitable dance competition that unites New York City’s most influential leaders to champion arts equity. We transform local icons into performers to help make children’s dance dreams come true and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive through the arts.

What We Do

We mobilize New York City’s civic, corporate, and community leaders to trade the boardroom for the dance floor. By pairing prominent individuals with professional dancers from reputable local dance organizations, we raise critical funds and awareness to provide underserved youth with high-quality dance education.

How We Do It

• The Competition: Leaders from the clergy, business, and government learn and perform competitive dance routines in diverse dance styles—from Salsa and Afrobeat to Ballet and Musical Theater.

• The Impact: Winning teams directly fund a full year of free dance education for local children.

• The Ecosystem: Our model strengthens Brooklyn’s cultural fabric by supporting nearly 40 community-based dance organizations.

Why We Do It

Dance has a tremendously positive influence on children’s academic achievement and social development. When children are engaged in dance, they develop creativity, self-expression, focus, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. We use dance as a tool to help children build discipline, confidence, and self-esteem so they can succeed in school and in life.

Impact by the Numbers

• 15 years of impact

• 150+ New York City leaders have danced and made a difference

• 400+ children provided with a full year of free, elite dance education and training

• 23,000+ days of high-quality instruction delivered

• $1 million+ raised to support youth arts

Our Stars & Supporters

We are proud to have seen legendary leaders and celebrated public figures step onto our stage and support our work, including:

• Rev. Al Sharpton, Susan L. Taylor, Marc Morial and Bishop Johnny Ray Youngblood

• House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and former Commissioner of NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Laurie Cumbo

• George Faison, New Edition, Malik Yoba and Caleb McLaughlin

• Errol Louis, Bevy Smith and Chef Carla Hall

Press & Partners

Our movement has been featured in The New York Times, WABC-TV, the New York Amsterdam News, and BK Reader. We are fueled by powerhouse partners such as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the New York City Council, United Way of New York City, AARP New York, the Charles H. Revson Foundation, MetroPlusHealth, and the National Urban League.

Governance

Our Board of Directors is composed of dedicated leaders advancing arts equity in Brooklyn:

• Cheryl Todmann, Chair

• Juanita Scarlett, Vice President

• James Jones, Treasurer

• Leslie Biamby, Secretary

• Cecily Cooper, Director