With support from the California Arts Council, In Lak’ech Dance Academy will produce a free 12-week online series of Afro-Latinx dance workshops for the QTBIPOC community in September and October 2022. CAC funds will support stipends for commissioned Afro-Latinx dance teachers from the local community and the salaries of our Project Leads, Angélica Medina and Jahaira Fajardo.
In Lak’ech Dance Academy is the first Afro-Latin dance academy in the U.S. created by and for queer and trans people and their allies. We offer weekly classes in Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, and Afro-Caribbean movement that center joy, cultural reclamation, and accessibility. Our structured cohort model supports progression from beginner to advanced levels, leading to instructor training, leadership development, and performance opportunities. We host Queer Sabor socials, seasonal showcases, and original projects like Morir Soñando and ChingonaX, which amplify the stories of queer and trans BIPOC dancers through choreography and collective reflection. Our programs foster holistic health, cultural pride, and belonging. Students report improved physical, emotional, and mental well-being, along with deeper connections to identity and community. At every level, we offer a transformative space where LGBTQ2S+ dancers can reclaim their culture, express their full selves, and build a stronger, more inclusive world—one step at a time.

