ABOUT HBCUADD
Mission
To provide a platform for the training, education, mentoring and scholastic support of HBCU Auxiliary and Dance coaches, instructors and enthusiasts, as well as dance and flag lines, majorettes and feature twirlers, on all levels including HBCU, high school and community. This association is open to current and former directors, aspiring directors, current and former performers, and enthusiasts on the collegiate, high school and community team levels.
OBJECTIVES
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Support our members and communities via our targeted initiatives (professional development, excellence in performance, mental health awareness, scholastic support and community involvement) which we believe are the pillars that support our mission.
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Provide training and mentoring through in-person and online workshops, meetings and blogs/vlogs and our yearly conference and leadership summit.
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Provide instruction and exposure to some of our best performance clinicians from all genres and backgrounds.
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Provide a safe and supportive environment where members can share ideas, find solutions to issues or roadblocks and come together to fellowship over the common bond that is the HBCU Auxiliary and Dance experience.
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Provide training to members who aspire to be HBCU Directors Act as a liaison to high school performers who wish to perform on the HBCU level as auxiliary members or dancers. Provide leadership training to hbcu auxiliary members and dancers.
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Provide an opportunity for HBCU teams to participate in competitions designed to showcase the HBCU style of performance.
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Serve as an influencer to outside entities to maintain the integrity of our image, brand and importance.
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Establish relationships in areas such as professional cheerleading, professional dancing, Corp Style organizations, and other related areas to provide opportunities for our HBCU Performers.
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Provide support in the form of grants and scholarships to HBCU Performers.
TRAIN
Participate in unique members only training, both in person and virtually, designed to increase knowledge and confidence as an HBCU style performance coach of any level. Whether you have coached for years are looking to enter the coaching field, we will have training for all levels.
NETWORK
Networking opportunities on all levels will be provided. High School, Community Team, Studio and Collegiate coaches will have opportunities to share with one another. We will also provide networking opportunities outside of the HBCU Performance genre for those looking to propel their performers to different experiences, e.g. industry, professional cheer and dance, Corp Style and others.
ELEVATE
We feel that the outstanding work in our unique environment should be elevated, recognized and celebrated. We want to highlight our trailblazers while educating on our history. We want to identify and train our future leaders.
SUPPORT
We will support our members and communities via our targeted initiatives (professional development, excellence in performance, mental health awareness, scholastic support and community involvement) which we believe are the pillars that support our mission. We will provide scholastic support to HBCU Performance team members and other team members in the HBCU genre (High School, Community) through the establishment of scholarships and grants that assist young performers with school necessities, etc. Will also provide grants that allow our performers to engage in advanced training and related activities in their local communities.
OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
Our Executive Board brings together more than 30 years of expertise in HBCU Performance Teams and coaching.
SHAWN ZACHERY
FOUNDER, EXEC. DIRECTOR
Shawn Zachery began her career in dance as a Southern University Dancing Doll in 1985. After receiving a degree in Computer Science in 1987 she began her career in technology with IBM while also continuing her dance studies in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop. She has worked in the IT field for over 30 years while also performing in local dance troupes. She also spent over 15 years as a certified fitness instructor. She has served as Director and Choreographer for Howard University’s Ooh La La! Dancers, Ladies of Jade dance team at Morrow (GA) High School, the Platinum Dolls at Nansemond River (VA) High School, the Champagne Dancers at South Carolina State University, and the Hot Ice Dancers at Norfolk State University. She is currently Director of the Black Foxes dance team at Prairie View A&M University. She is a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
BRIDGETTE WILLIAMS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Bridgette Williams is a classically trained dancer in all forms of dance. She has extensive coaching experience in high school and collegiate dance, spanning over 30yrs. Her goal is to effect positive change in the growth and development of dancers on the high school and collegiate levels through technique classes, pre/post-season training, creative choreography and performance training. She is the former coordinator of the Sensational Stingettes in '00-02, '13-18 and the current dance coaches for the Jeff Davis High School Dynamic Divas and the Central Jaguars Lady Jags professional basketball dance team. Bridgette is the owner of the Bridge Effect, a dance and cheer consulting firm, whose primary goal is to help teams or programs design, facilitate, and coordinate all aspects of team performance enhancement. She is from Montgomery, AL and graduate from Alabama State University with a BA and MA in English Language Arts and a MA and Educational Specialist degree in School Counseling.
RAE RANSOM COLEMAN
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Rae Ransom Coleman, Georgia Certified educator specializing in Ballet and Jazz dance. An Atlanta native and graduate of North Atlanta School of the Arts with a BA (Drama and Dance) from Spelman College. With a background in Ballet, Jazz, Pointe, African, Modern, and Hip Hop— she’s been teaching in the Atlanta area for 27 years with a high student success rate. A professional dancer and choreographer, with a career centered in commercial dance; notable credits include Kanye West, Janelle Monae, Bet Awards, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets. Currently serving as the Fine Arts department chair and Director of Dance at Westlake High School in South Fulton Atlanta and as Head Coach of Morehouse and Spelman College's dance team Mahogany N Motion since 2013. Memberships include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. , National Dance Educators Organization, and Dance Educators of Georgia Society
STEPHANIE MAGRUDER
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Stephanie H. Magruder is the Coach for Scarlet Lace Auxiliary Unit with over 13 years of service to the Red Sea of Sound Marching Band.She also works as a Special Education Facilitator with over 22 years of experience working with Special Needs Children.A native of New Orleans, Louisiana; she is a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy where she danced on the Cougarette Dance Team. She also attended Louisiana State University where she was a member of R-KUT (Rhythm Keeps Us Together) Dance Ensemble. Stephanie went on to graduate from Jackson State University with a B.S. in Special Education. She is the proud mother of 3 daughters who were all members of the Red Sea of Sound Marching Band and are WSSU graduates. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Besides her love of dance, Stephanie enjoys gardening, traveling, reading, and spending time with her grandson.
LAUREN HENRY
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Ms. Lauren Henry is a trained dancer in a multitude of styles and genres, including ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, jazz, contemporary, and lyrical since 1992. She was accepted into the Tri-Cities Performing Arts High School for the dance magnet program and spent four years training with some of the best instructors in Atlanta. She was also one of the few chosen to participate in the Alvin Ailey Dance Camp in New York and The Atlanta Ballet Company.
Upon graduating high school, she danced 3 seasons with the South Carolina State University Champagne Dance Team, and 2 seasons with the SCSU Charisma Dance Team. After college, she taught at Gift of Dance Studio and she was also the coach and choreographer for The Lovejoy Dancing Diamonds and The Divine Dolls in McDonough, GA where both teams were featured on the hit show “Bring It.” In 2015, she was chosen to choreograph for a Netflix series entitled “Confetti,” and she was also a dance trainer at the HBCU Dance Corporation in Atlanta.
Now back in Orangeburg, South Carolina she became the first Visual & Performing Arts Dance Teacher at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and has opened her dance studio, Footsteps Dance Academy. She is currently the director and choreographer of the SCSU Champagne Dance Team.
KATHERINE CALLAHAN
EXECUTIVE BOARD
"Everyone can become successful, and I will make that happen."
Katherine Callahan started dancing as a child in Atlanta, Georgia. Her professional dance and choreography career began with her dedication to Georgia Youth on Parade, Flying Tiger Track Team, Culture Shock Atlanta Dance Troupe, and dance studios. In addition, she attended Morris Brown College, where she received her bachelor's degree in Community Health Education
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Katherine's professional dance and choreography career highlights include the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the 20th Century Fox Movies "Drumline," The Bonner Brother Hair Shows," and "Beat Street Live." In addition, she judges national dance competitions, has choreographed numerous half-time shows at professional sporting events and has served as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for Atlanta's Naval Air Station. In 2010, Kat was awarded "Best of Atlanta" in the Fitness Trainer category by the Atlanta Tribune. She is actively involved in several charitable programs, including the Summer Youth Leadership Training Program. She recently participated in the Georgia Trio Program's 10th annual Student Initiative, "Health, Wealth, and Knowledge of Self" conference.
EDDIE MORRIS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Mr. Eddie Morris is well known in the Color Guard and Flag Line circles. He has been coaching a total of 35 amazing years and has been coaching at South Carolina StateUniversity since the closure of Morris Brown College. Mr. Morris has performed with the Drum Corp International (DCI) guards for the Madison Scouts and Southwind of Alabama.
VEDETTE SPELLMAN
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Vedette D. Spellman, is currently a Licensed Special Education Teacher in the
Career Development Program at Booker T. Washington High School, for the
Norfolk Public Schools System. Ms. Spellman previously served for 16 years from 2001-the fall of 2017 as the Silkette (Flag) Coordinator for the Norfolk State University Marching Spartan Legion Band, where she also was a member of the section prior to her inception to that role. Vedette, currently holds the position as the Uniform Manager for the Spartan Legion Band, and is an active member of the Alumni Band. She loves the band and enjoys working with the students and staff.
In addition to her role as a full-time Special Education Teacher, Ms. Spellman serves as
the New Teacher Academy Lead Mentor, Saturday School Advisor, Student
Conductor Discipline and Management Advisor, Transition Advisor, and Homebound Instructor just to name a few.
CHRISHANA GRANGER
EXECUTIVE BOARD