A brief history of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Associates

D.C.D.C. ASSOCIATES

“The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Associates is an auxiliary of the Board of Trustees of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. The Associates' formation was the brain–child of Sheila Thompson, President of the Board of Trustees, in the spring of 1979. The organization of the Associates came approximately ten years after Jeraldyne Blunden chartered the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company with great artistic vision but little available money.

Over the past fourteen years, the support provided by the local community has been a major factor in the company’s financial stability and its continued upward mobility and to help focus the Dayton community’s attention toward this major Black Arts Organization, the Associates have identified the following goals:

1. To educate the Dayton community about the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
2. To provide financial assistance to the company
3. Purchase needed equipment
4. Provide dance scholarships
5. Respond to limited emergency situations
6. To facilitate social functions for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

In order to reach the aforementioned goals, the Associates have sponsored community-based fundraisers. The major activity has been an annual “Poor Man’s Art Auction”. The auction has served a dual purpose in that it raises funds for the Company and provides recognition for local art talent. Other fundraisers have included: Family oriented skating parties, cocktail sips at local establishments, and concession stands during each of the fall, winter, and spring performances of the Company. The Associates also hosted receptions during each of the performances.

The D.C.D.C. Associates are deeply concerned with the quality of life in the Dayton area as well as the Black community and are working to assist the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company move into the forefront as a major Black Arts Organization within our community. The Associates ask you to join them and become part of the lifeblood of the arts in the community.”

The 1983 DCDC Associates included: President Sophia Connally, Vice-President Joyce Stone, Secretary Barbara Bass, Treasurer Melanie Francis, Patrice Davenport-Williams, Jackie Colvard, Betty Schoenmeyer, Zella Brown, Kathy Blaine, Georgene Hall-Dawson, Yvonne Curry, Stella Haddix, Gloria Love, Audrey Davis, Dawn Lawson-Jones, Anna Johnoff-Mays, Pat Branch, Jewell Garrison, Josie Clark, and Ron McGuire.

The above was excerpted from the program of the First Annual Chittlin’ Strut, February 26, 1983

The DCDC Associates was founded in 1979. Members reflected the many relationships Jeraldyne had fostered in the community, in her school, and company. Some had known her since childhood as peers in the early days of the Linden Center. Others studied under Jeraldyne at Linden Center and Jeraldyne’s School of Dance and were members of the young DCDC. Quite a few would send their children to study at Jeraldyne’s School of Dance.  And still, others knew Jeraldyne and her family through shared membership at Philips Temple.

Jeraldyne wanted the Associates to be larger than a volunteer organization. They were to be ambassadors for DCDC. They would promote and represent DCDC in the community, becoming the face of the company. This they did to spectacular effect. Along the way, they established and maintained important relationships with local businesses, many Black-owned. Their members introduced DCDC to local government workers, educators, administrators, and artists. They often made a way where there had been none previously. And they did this selflessly in the name of DCDC. Because of their individual work and influence, they brought in different corporations who would become major benefactors, i.e., Dayton Power and Light, and colleges (Sinclair) that would support the company, providing facilities, personnel and administrative needs.

This past January, I convened a small Zoom gathering of former Associates. I was challenged to locate many of the names that have been listed on DCDC programs dating from 1979 to the late 90s. However, thanks to the efforts of Jacqueline Colvard and Yvonne Curry, I was able locate and invite 16 former Associates, 6 of whom could attend. Many, though not all, were still living in the area.

I hoped to further understand about this important and pivotal group of super-volunteers. I also felt the need to document their history. To that end, this is just scratching the surface. I sent them a list of 9 questions to consider before the Zoom call. What follows are the responses to a few of those questions.

Asked why and when did you become an Associate, Joyce Stone was introduced by friends, mentioning specifically Sheila Thompson and Sophia Connally (note that many names reoccur throughout this narrative. This is indicative of a close-knit community). Jacqueline Colvard was introduced to the company in the early 80s, through friends. Charlotte McKenzie joined in about 1992 after moving from Cincinnati. She had seen DCDC shows and loved the company, and wanted to do volunteer work. Reaching out to the office, she was introduced to the Associates. Barb Bass mentioned that it was unusual for her to become involved with a group as she is not a joiner. But join, she did. Anna Mays stated she became involved through many of the same people as mentioned before – Sheila Thompson, Melanie Francis, Georgene Dawson, and Joyce Stone. Anna Mays was as well a member of Phillip’s Temple. Georgene Dawson’s relationship with the company and Jeraldyne goes way back to the Linden Center, where she studied dance at age 4. The Linden Center was established as a dance school for African American children by the Schwarz sisters. Her older sister studied there too. Georgene recalled a performance of the Jabberwocky. She also shared being upset she was denied the lead in The Littlest Angel. She stopped dancing at age 14. Georgene mentioned many of the same names who would become lifelong friends, volunteers, and eventually Associates of DCDC. They included Lynette Shaw, Sheila Thompson, and Diedra Nolan. As an adult, Georgene would answer the call from Jeraldyne and provide support by becoming a volunteer, Associate, and Board President.

The Associates were primarily women but asked whether there were ever any Associates men – yes, Ron McGuire and Robert Harris's names were mentioned. “Sometimes to carry large heavy objects!”

In regard to governance and duties, Jackie responded that the president of the Associates had a seat on the board. The Associates were responsible for a DCDC budget line item every year, hence the number and success of the many activities they created and implemented. Joyce described some of the duties as developing and organizing fundraisers for the young company. The Chittlin’ Strut was one example, and she shared the first program of the successful event. She also mentioned that they would procure and serve refreshments at DCDC shows in Sinclair. Associates also created fundraising events at Fat Daddy’s and produced several Art Auctions.

Jackie described various events the Associates were involved in: receptions and fundraising parties at Gillie’s, several Celebrity Auctions. The Associates wrote President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor David Dinkins for auction items. And yes, they both graciously donated items. Dayton Mayor Clay Dixon purchased the item from Bill Clinton. Board member Bob Barr, who was introduced to DCDC by Anna Mays, was a very fun and gifted auctioneer. Associates organized and held an Egypt Raffle to coincide with DCDC’s appearance in the Dayton Opera’s production of Aida. They organized many events that centered on African-inspired food, music, and formal wear.

Barb Bass mentioned that the Chittlin’ Strut became more and more popular each year, to the point they needed to hold back tickets (to make sure volunteers had seats?). The first Strut, February 26, 1983, all agreed was the best. The first caterer was excellent but, unfortunately for DCDC and the Associates, moved out of town. Other caterers were “not as good, as it was challenging to cook chitlins properly for some of them.” Kohler was a caterer one year. Joyce displayed for all the original program of the strut from 1983. (She has since donated that program to DCDC’s archives). On a side note, Georgene reminded all that she designed the DCDC Associates logo seen on the program – a logo which they used for several years.

Aside from their own slate of fundraisers, the Associates supported board-driven fundraisers.

Here is a short list of some favorite Associates fundraisers:

•                     The Chittlin’ Strut Banquet fundraiser created by Sophia Connally was an original and delightful success. This catered formal affair was held at the Dayton Art Institute.  Chitlins, along with standard accompaniments, were served with flourish to the well-dressed crowd. One could substitute chicken if desired.
•                     The Poor Man’s Art Auctions were a particular favorite held at the old Dayton post office. This affair featured local, less-known artists’ works. All bids were kept in the affordable range.
•                     At The Celebrity Auction, well-known personages were asked to donate items. Maya Angelou donated a framed and signed poem; Bing and Audrey Davis regularly donated artwork; Jeffrey Mims donated work. President Bill Clinton and Mayor David Dinkins both donated items.
•                     A “New York in Dayton” fashion show and a “Broadway” fundraising event were both mentioned. However, no one present could recall specific details of these events.
•                     ‘Night at Big AL’s’ fundraiser, where attendees were invited to dress in their finest Harlem Renaissance attire and visit Big Al’s (DCDC Board member Allan Lane) speakeasy for an evening of dancing, drinking, and gambling.
•                     The Associates designed and sold merchandise - T-shirts, Sweat Shirts, key rings, calendars, mugs, and other trendy items.
•                     They were responsible for DCDC’s smooth and successful hosting of the 1984 NERBA Festival and the International Association of Blacks in Dance 1993 conference. Associates equipped classrooms, provided water, refreshments, hospitality, swag, and merchandise, and provided hosting and goodwill.
•                     They hosted smaller gatherings and cocktail sips at local bars and jazz clubs: Fat Daddy’s, Spunky’s, and Gillie’s were just a few.
•                     On several occasions, the Associates' activities would include travel to locations where the company was touring. 

This is just a partial list of all the amazing work the DCDC Associates performed in support of the company. I invite former DCDC Associates reading this to amend the above.

The DCDC Associates were most often listed in DCDC programs, but there are some programs where they are omitted. Asked whether this sometimes disappearance from specific programs meant that the group had disbanded, Barb Bass replied they never disbanded. It was likely error on the part of the program designer or a decision, owing to space, not to include them in the programs.

Over time, however, the amount of money the company required because of its successes became too big of a challenge and the Associates gradually ceased to exist in a formal way. And do note the irony – the tremendous growth in staff size, salaries, visibility, and touring was made possible, in part, by the Associates' unceasing volunteerism. It also appears, and I am only speculating, that they had been replaced with volunteer groups with singular, time-limited mandates – the Ruby Ambassadors or 30th Anniversary Year volunteer groups, for example. However, members of the Associates may have populated these groups as well, so it becomes challenging to say when one ends and another begins. But, to this very day, you will certainly see former Associates at DCDC events.

In conclusion, Georgene Dawson said they were important to the nurturing and ensured the growth of the company. Anna Mays stated they were truly friends in love with the company. They were women who loved fun and being creative. Barb Bass said that when Jeraldyne passed, they were honored to be asked to provide food and hosting during that sad time. She also stated, without rancor, that was when her kitchen burned down. Charlotte McKenzie stated the experience was fun and friendly and provided an outlet for her desire to serve. Jackie Colvard, and others, praised the camaraderie and lifelong friendships that developed from their time with the Associates. When Anna Mays moved to Dallas, she connected with Ann Williams at Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Asking if DBDT had an organization such as the Associates, whose existence Ann Williams knew of, was told, unfortunately, no.

Alice Ditto, who could not participate in the Zoom call, wrote to me recently:

“Alice Young, I joined DCDC in 1983 until our group retired. Like most of the members, I was introduced to the group by a mutual friend, Yvonne Curry, who was an Associate. In addition, 2 other best friends were members and later, my friend Charlotte McKenzie became a member also. One of our great attributes was our unity and desire to support Jeraldyne and the company. Fundraising was our focus and our fundraising events were famous. I was employed by the Mead Corporation, one of the sponsors to the company. In addition, I was attending the concerts on a regular basis and we loved Jeraldyne and when she called for any need we were there to help. I was a past President and board member. I believe when I was president we had the largest membership.  When I got married and became Alice Ditto all the DCDC Associates were in my church wedding, no males. They hosted a wedding of over 300 guests. I treasure that time, pictures of that time, and the members, who, like Jeraldyne, are no longer with us. It's a time we will forever cherish.”

When you look at the photographs of members at their events and the glowing, enthusiastic smiles, you know this was a group who loved what they were about, enjoyed every minute of their work, and believed wholeheartedly in their mission.

I have been able to compile a list of 77 DCDC Associates based on programs from 1980 - 1998. Members served 1 to several years, and I have not heard yet of a term limit. I would like to know if terms of service were defined. Also, I again invite those reading these words to offer more information and/or amendments to this brief narrative.