Dance Educator & Visionary Entrepreneur
Benita Junette Brown, D.Ed.
Born and raised in North Philadelphia, I have devoted my life to the study, teaching, and preservation of Black dance. After earning my Doctor of Education degree in Dance Education from Temple University in 1998, I joined Virginia State University the following year. For over two decades, I served as a full professor of dance, inspiring students through courses that explored African, African Diaspora, and African Caribbean traditions. Since my semi-retirement in 2020, I continue to teach online at VSU, sharing culture and history with new generations.
My work extends beyond the classroom. I have performed and lectured internationally, and today I continue that mission through film. My documentaries include Traditions in Peace: They Love Through Us, which explores healing and gun violence through dance, and A Tribute to Baba Robert “Ibikunle” Crowder, honoring the founder of Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble.
Looking ahead, I am developing an Afrocentric online marketplace featuring clothing, housewares, and cultural items that, like my scholarship and films, honor heritage and celebrate identity.
I was born and raised in North Philadelphia, a community where music, movement, and culture shaped my earliest memories. From neighborhood gatherings to church socials, dance was never just performance—it was a way of life, a language that spoke to resilience, joy, and belonging. Those roots guided me toward a lifelong commitment to studying, teaching, and preserving the traditions of Black dance.
In 1998, I earned my Doctor of Education degree in Dance Education from Temple University, where my dissertation, Boppin’ at Miss Mattie’s Place, explored the grassroots dance culture of North Philadelphia. One year later, I joined Virginia State University, an HBCU with a deep cultural legacy, where I taught dance and inspired generations of students. Over two decades, I served as a full professor and built programs that connected African, African Diaspora, and African Caribbean dance traditions to both scholarship and community. In 2020, I transitioned to semi-retirement, yet I continue to teach online courses at VSU, bringing history, culture, and movement into the virtual classroom.
My work as a scholar has always been intertwined with my role as an artist. In addition to teaching, I performed with professional dance companies and traveled widely, sharing lectures and workshops on the cultural power of dance. Today, I continue that journey through film. My documentary Traditions in Peace: They Love Through Us examines grief, gun violence, and healing through the lens of dance, while A Tribute to Baba Robert “Ibikunle” Crowder honors the visionary founder of Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble, with whom I once performed as a principal dancer.
Looking back, my path has always returned to one truth: dance is more than movement—it is memory, healing, and a bridge between generations. Whether in a classroom, on stage, or through film, I remain dedicated to preserving and celebrating the stories that live within Black dance.
As I look ahead, I am expanding this vision by developing an Afrocentric online marketplace. This upcoming store will feature clothing, housewares, and cultural items that, like my teaching and films, honor heritage and celebrate identity. It is the next step in my lifelong journey of keeping tradition alive while building new ways to connect the community through art and culture.
