Akilah Cage was put on bed rest when she had her first child at 23. Most people would have taken that as a sign to stop working, but instead, Cage started the Young and Talented Dance Company.
The organization started as a nonprofit, offering free dance classes to underrepresented youth. Since starting in 2003, the dance company has provided opportunities for students from low-income areas to perform across Syracuse.The dance studio now charges students to take classes in jazz, hip-hop, and acrobatics, but its mission is still to provide opportunities to students from all backgrounds. They practice on Tuesday and Friday nights.
“When I deal with these kids and I teach them how to dance, it’s more than just a dance atmosphere, it’s a family atmosphere,” Cage said.
Cage hopes that her dance classes help the kids to become better individuals.
“I teach them how to be leaders, how to be the best person that you can be. Ninety-five percent of my students have straight A’s, and it’s because we allow them to be who they want to be,” Cage said.
Young and Talented Dance Company came first in both age divisions during their performance at the dance competition in Rochester last month. They will compete for $1,000 at the final competition at Wilson Foundation Academy in Rochester on Nov. 22.
