In 2009, Jasper C. Reed took on the role of Dance Coordinator for Proviso West High School’s Diamond Dancers, an auxiliary dance team for the school’s marching band. Over time, the team adopted a style that honored the rich traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), paying tribute to their distinct and powerful form of dance. But Reed saw a need to bridge the worlds of HBCU-style dance and industry professionalism, and in 2017, The Diamond MVMT dance company was born. His vision was simple yet ambitious: create a platform that elevated dance artists of color and showcased their unique artistry on a national stage.
Through Reed’s dedication and tenacity, The Diamond MVMT quickly made a name for itself. But even as he grew a creative empire in Chicago, one truth became undeniable—there was a serious lack of visibility and resources for Black and Brown dancers. Recognizing this gap, Reed founded the MVMT Foundation in 2022 to make high-quality dance training and industry exposure more accessible to dancers of color in Chicago and beyond.
Meanwhile, in Cleveland, LaChanee Davis was on a similar mission. After starting Buck Out Cleveland in 2019 as a nonprofit dedicated to providing technical dance training and college audition prep, she focused on ensuring that dancers of all ages, particularly those eyeing HBCU dance teams, had the tools and resources to succeed. Under her leadership, Buck Out became a powerful force in the Cleveland dance scene, offering performance opportunities and fostering the development of professional dance artists from underserved communities.
Now, in 2024, these two visions have come together in an exciting merger that blends the best of both worlds. The Diamond MVMT and Buck Out Cleveland have united to form The MVMT Dance Co., a new force in the dance community with a bold vision: to position the Midwest as a premier hub for Black and Brown dancers in training, instruction, and performance. This merger is about more than just bringing two organizations together—it’s about making sure that dancers in the Midwest have the same opportunities for exposure and success as their counterparts in cities like Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles.
With this merger, Buck Out Cleveland has transformed into MVMT Dance Studio Cleveland, now the official headquarters of The MVMT Dance Co. This new identity brings an expanded mission, a larger team, and a renewed focus on fostering community, connection, and equity for Black and Brown artists across the Midwest. Our goal is to see more Black and Brown dancers land careers in dance, while offering them the exposure and opportunities they deserve.
We are beyond excited to open the doors to MVMT Dance Studio Cleveland and we’re inviting the entire community to join us in celebrating this new chapter at our Grand Opening. From exclusive dance classes to community events, there’s something for everyone. Come experience the energy, passion, and culture that The MVMT Dance Co. is bringing to Cleveland and beyond.
Click below to learn more about our grand opening events and be part of the celebration.