Urban Bush Women's mission is to create dance and to create community.

Founded in 1984 by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Urban Bush Women (UBW) seeks to bring the untold
and under-told histories and stories of disenfranchised people to light through dance. We do this from a woman-centered perspective and as members of the African Diaspora community in order to create a more equitable balance of power in the dance world and beyond. We do this by facilitating the use of art as a means of addressing issues of social justice and encouraging civic engagement. Based in Brooklyn, we aspire to ensure continuity by strengthening and expanding our international community via ongoing professional education, development of new audiences, nurturing young talent and presenting bold, life-affirming dance works in a variety of settings including at our annual Summer Leadership Institute.
 

CORE VALUES

Validating the Individual

Each individual has a unique and powerful contribution to make.

Catalyst for Social Change

UBW's work intends to help people make sense out of the world and prepare to take action in it.

Building Trust through Process

A transparent process of artistic and managerial leadership builds and nurtures trust.
Entering Community and Co-Creating Stories
Each community is unique and has the answers it seeks to uncover.

Celebrating the Movement and Culture of the African Diaspora

UBW is committed to highlighting the power, beauty and strength of the African Diaspora.

Place Matters

We recognize that being part of, responding to and contributing to the overall well-being of our home community, Brooklyn, is of the utmost importance.