The Mission at LWDA 

Our Mission is to positively impact our community for families of color, as well as families from a multitude cultural backgrounds. Through diverse exposure to the world of Dance in 7 different Dance Disciplines, we functionally combine Academic Learning and Career/Life Skills Competency, Nutritional Research and wellness practices, and Service Learning with Arts Education to give our students and participants a well-rounded lifelong learning experience. Students and families feel at home at LWDA, because our goal is to provide positive health, growth, confidence and accountability. Our programs rectify three major issues: 

• Reverse the school drop out rates among teens and remedy learning disabilities/deficiencies,

• Eliminate childhood and adolescent obesity through Agricultural/Nutritional Research and Entrepreneurial Self Sufficiency, and 

• Provide jobs and internships to high school youth, college students and adults. 

We utilize our over 35 years of Dance acumen, and over 26 years of teaching proficiency, as well as the core principles rooted in Commandment keeping, in order to instill: morality, integrity, respect, accountability, trustworthiness, empathy, critical thinking and fellowship. 

Fulfilling Our Mission

Our work and passion is to mend, repair and eliminate the disparities that exist in the low-income communities, and low-ranking public and charter schools. We seek to destroy the barriers that prohibit access to top-quality Arts Education Programs, as well as academic support that allows for the successful acquisition of learning standards and grade-level proficiency. Schools in low-income zip codes are scoring far below average, to just average regarding college and career readiness. Underserved students are falling far behind and there are huge achievement gaps. Many of these schools score a 2 on equity. Students are making less progress from one grade to the next, and falling into a rut of low test scores and overall academic preparedness, compared to other schools in more affluent or higher median income communities. Our programs heal these inequalities.

Homeschooling families in these neighborhoods also deserve first class outlets for their students to receive creative expression, physical activities, artistic and entrepreneurial opportunities, academic enhancement and social interaction programs. Many Homeschooling parents have limited options for lifelong programs that suit the needs of the individual learning styles of their students, and need programs that operate outside of traditional school hours for their needs. 

We are prepared to be a premium resource for integral nutrition education and community building by providing: exceptional nutrient dense food and Ingredient Literacy and Caloric Balance tools; and preparing students to be active participants in building hope, prosperity and accountability in their communitites through agricultural sustainability and entrepreneurship. 

Applying Our Mission

We accomplish our Mission through our unique LWDA Innovative Arts Education© Curriculum, which, over the past 14 years, has gained acclaim across three different States in the U.S., for its effective and top-notch delivery of Cross-Disciplinary Applications of Dance and Academics. We engage in positive collaborative business and School District Partnerships, connect through Guest Artist Workshops, Performance Presentations, Service Learning Projects, and our vigorous Rules Of Healthy Practice© Nutrition Education Program. 

Leah Willis Dance Arts is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Public Benefit Charity.

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