Women’s Fund Investment Supports Dancing Queens Carnival Collective to Take Centre Stage at Africa Oyé
The Black Women’s Health Forum has announced funding from the Women’s Fund, delivered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, to support the development of Dancing Queens, its intergenerational dance, wellbeing and carnival collective, ahead of this year’s Africa Oyé Festival.
Artistically directed by Ithalia Johnson and based at the African and Caribbean Centre in Liverpool 8, Dancing Queens brings women together through African and Caribbean dance, music, creativity and cultural celebration. The collective creates opportunities for women to build confidence, improve wellbeing, develop new skills and celebrate Black culture in joyful and visible ways.
The funding has enabled women from across Liverpool to work alongside professional award winning carnival artists and designer – Rhian Kempadoo-Millar from Mango Arts, RJC dance and Global Grooves to create recycled costumes, develop performance skills and take part in one of the UK’s largest celebrations of African and Caribbean culture. More than a carnival troupe, Dancing Queens is a community of women supporting one another through movement, creativity, sisterhood and shared cultural pride.
The project responds to the health inequalities, social isolation and barriers experienced by many Black women, creating welcoming spaces where women can reconnect with themselves, their bodies and each other.
Ithalia Johnson, Artistic Director of Dancing Queens, said: “Dancing Queens began as a space where women could come together to move, laugh and feel good in their bodies. What has grown is something much bigger: a powerful community built on sisterhood, creativity and Black joy. Thanks to the support of the Women’s Fund, more women can experience the confidence, connection and visibility that come from being part of something special.”
Kerry Nugent, Chair of the Black Women’s Health Forum, said: “Dancing Queens is more than a dance group; it is a powerful expression of the Black Women’s Health Forum’s commitment to improving wellbeing, reducing isolation and creating opportunities for Black women to thrive. This funding has enabled women to develop new skills, build confidence and step into the spotlight at one of the UK’s most celebrated festivals. We believe every woman deserves spaces where she can connect, be visible and celebrate who she is, and Dancing Queens continues to show what is possible when Black women’s creativity, leadership and joy are invested in.”
Participants describe Dancing Queens as “the sunshine in my life” and “my best friend on a Thursday evening”, reflecting the deep sense of belonging and wellbeing the programme creates.
The collective will showcase its vibrant new carnival costumes and performance work at Africa Oyé, celebrating the creativity, resilience and leadership of Black women in Liverpool.
Guided by the ethos, “I Rise, You Rise, We Rise”, Dancing Queens continues to create opportunities for women to be visible, creative, empowered and connected.
