BDCM Team
BDCM Team
Black Dance Change Makers is powered by a dynamic team of dancers, educators, and organizers committed to building a more just, joyful, and liberated future for Black dancers. Rooted in deep care and collective responsibility, our team brings a wealth of experience from the studio, the stage, and the streets—reimagining what it means to organize through dance.
Alysia Johnson (she/her)
Alysia L. Johnson is a native of Dallas, Texas and credits the beginning of her dance education to Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Academy. After her primary education with DBDT Alysia attended Booker T. Washington HSPVA under the direction of Lily Cabatu Weiss. Eventually, while getting her BFA at The Juilliard School in New York City Alysia developed a skill for community engagement and received two grants to help further dance education in her hometown. Within the Juilliard community, Alysia curated and moderated a program with American Ballet Theater’s, Misty Copeland as well as programming the Black Student Union Events. In 2017 Alysia directed her own inclusive-curriculum for a summer program in Dallas and has been creating education opportunities since then. Currently an artist with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alysia is excited to see where her journey as a performer, educator, and choreographer will take her. alysiajohnson.com
Deisha King (she/her)
Deisha A. King is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where she received her BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography and minor in Nutrition. Deisha was chosen to be 1 of 12 representatives invited by Beijing Normal University (BNU) and the Chinese government to participate in the Creative International Dance Conference and Festival in 2015. Upon graduating from USF in 2018, Deisha performed original works with local Tampa/St.Pete dance companies and partnered with community organizations where she teaches dance education.
Most recently she participated in Momentum: Choreographic Mentorship, a 5-month mentorship program, curated by Artistic Director Alex Jones of projectALCHEMY dance, culminating in the presentation of a new installation and short dance film. A young advocate for health, wellness, and social action, Deisha is a proud ambassador for Meeyogi Wellness and Metro Inclusive Health. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and is honored to be a part of the Black Dance Change Makers leadership team.
Morgan McDaniel (she/her)
Morgan Reed McDaniel is a dancer and teaching artist currently based in Chicago. Morgan began dancing at the age of 3, continuing her training throughout her childhood and adolescence, eventually attending the Fordham/Ailey BFA program. Upon graduating from college, Morgan moved to Chicago where she began her professional dance career. Most recently, Morgan is teaching jazz, contemporary and ballet to dancers of all ages and developing her own work. You can learn more about Morgan by visiting her website www.morganreedmcdaniel.com
Etana Sissoko (she/her)
Etana Sissoko began her dance training at Fantashique Apprentice Dance Company in Orlando, Florida. She continued her dance training throughout middle and high school at the esteemed Osceola County School for the Arts. At OCSA, Etana trained in classical ballet, modern dance techniques and performed in solo and ensemble works in department concerts, local showcase concerts, charity events and the FDEO Florida State Honors Concert. She studied techniques for choreographic process and developed works in contemporary, modern and liturgical styles. Etana was the 2019 ArtsAlive Dance Scholarship Recipient for Osceola County. Etana recently graduated in May 2023 from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program as a double major in Dance and Psychology. Her journey at The Ailey School has given her the opportunity to work with choreographers Ronald K. Brown and Arcell Cabaug, Clifton Brown, Hope Boykin, Mark Caserta, Sonia Dawkins, Chuck Wilt, Sarah Wingo, Francesca Harper, and Janice Rosario. At Fordham, Etana conducted her own research study titled, “The Black Student Experience at Predominately White Institutions: Investigating the Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives.” Etana is currently an NBA dancer for the Long Island Nets. Etana looks forward to furthering her career in the performing arts, as well as being a change agent through Black Psychology, social activism and policy change, and dance activism.
Antuan Byers (he/him)
Antuan Byers is a New York City–based dancer, creative entrepreneur, and arts organizer whose practice is grounded in Lenapehoking, Manhattan. A current member of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, his work has reached global audiences through The Met: Live in HD. Trained at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he graduated cum laude from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program with honors in Dance and holds a Certificate in Fashion from Parsons. Antuan has performed with Ailey II, Mark Morris Dance Group, Washington National Opera Ballet, MorDance, and konverj dans; appeared as a guest with Keigwin + Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; and originated roles in Nick Cave’s Bessie Award–winning “The Let Go” at the Park Avenue Armory. He has collaborated with Erykah Badu, Jennifer Holliday, Melba Moore, and Felicia P. Fields, and his work and modeling have been featured by outlets and brands including New York Magazine, Dance Magazine, Pointe, Apple, Nike, and Capezio.
Equally active as an educator and organizer, Antuan is the Founder and Director of Black Dance Change Makers, Vice President of the American Guild of Musical Artists and a founding member of the AGMA Black Caucus. He serves on The Metropolitan Opera’s Artistic Advisory Committee, is Operations Director of Darkness RISING Project, and a Thought Partner with the National Center for Choreography at the University of Akron. He has taught and lectured at institutions such as The Ailey School, Jacob’s Pillow, Juilliard, UNCSA, SUNY Purchase, and NYU, and was invited to Washington, D.C., to speak on Equity in the Arts alongside U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Named an Artist Advocate in Residence with New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (2023) and to Urban Arts Magazine’s 40 Under 40 (2022), Antuan builds programs, partnerships, and policy that center Black artists and communities, bridging performance, arts education, and social practice to expand access and opportunity. More on Antuan.