A Howard ballroom dance group might quickly grow to be a actuality as freshman Brock Montgomery works to introduce aggressive ballroom dance to traditionally Black schools and universities. Montgomery, a two-time nationwide champion Latin ballroom dancer, is main an effort to ascertain what can be the primary aggressive collegiate ballroom program at an HBCU, starting at Howard College.
Montgomery’s push was just lately highlighted in a function detailing his imaginative and prescient to carry ballroom dance into Black collegiate areas the place the game has traditionally lacked illustration. As a scholar navigating each elite aggressive dance and campus life at Howard, Montgomery sees the college as the right basis to construct a program that might ultimately develop throughout the HBCU ecosystem.
A Championship Résumé Behind the Motion
Montgomery is getting into this effort with an elite aggressive background. Alongside his youthful sister, Charli Ana Montgomery, he has earned a number of nationwide titles in Latin ballroom dance, together with championships on the USA Dance Nationwide Championships, inserting the duo among the many top-ranked African American ballroom opponents within the nation.
Their expertise extends past home competitors. The siblings represented the US on the World DanceSport Federation World Championships, competing internationally within the Youth Latin class. That stage of publicity has given Montgomery firsthand perception into the worldwide construction of ballroom dance — and what it takes to construct a respectable collegiate pipeline quite than an informal scholar membership.
Why a Howard Ballroom Dance Staff Issues
Whereas ballroom dance groups are properly established at a number of predominantly white establishments, HBCUs have largely been excluded from that aggressive circuit. Montgomery views that hole as a possibility to develop entry and reshape perceptions round who belongs in ballroom areas.
A Howard ballroom dance group would introduce college students to a self-discipline that blends athleticism, artistry, and worldwide competitors. Montgomery has emphasised that no prior dance expertise can be required, permitting inexperienced persons and superior dancers to develop collectively. Lengthy-term, the imaginative and prescient consists of aggressive journey, skilled publicity, and ultimately scholarship alternatives much like these supplied at non-HBCU establishments.
Institutional Assist and Campus Momentum
Montgomery has already begun working via Howard’s inside approval course of to formalize this system. Assist from college inside the Chadwick A. Boseman Faculty of Nice Arts has helped legitimize the hassle, whereas conversations proceed round construction, funding, and long-term sustainability.
Howard-affiliated platforms have additionally amplified Montgomery’s work, signaling rising campus curiosity. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to develop student-led innovation and artistic programming at Howard, significantly in areas the place Black illustration has traditionally been restricted.
Increasing HBCU Dance and Efficiency Tradition
HBCUs have lengthy formed nationwide efficiency tradition via marching bands, step groups, majorettes, and up to date dance packages. Including ballroom dance represents an evolution — not a departure — from that legacy.
For Montgomery, the initiative is deeply private. He has spoken about navigating aggressive ballroom areas the place Black dancers are sometimes underrepresented, and the way attending Howard has supplied a way of cultural grounding he beforehand lacked. His purpose is to make sure future Black dancers can pursue elite competitors with out sacrificing group or belonging.
A Blueprint for Different HBCUs
If profitable, the Howard ballroom dance group might function a nationwide blueprint. Montgomery envisions a future the place a number of HBCUs subject ballroom packages, creating an intercollegiate community that introduces Black college students to a world aggressive artwork kind whereas holding HBCU tradition on the middle.
As momentum builds, the initiative highlights how scholar management continues to develop what’s doable on HBCU campuses — redefining excellence whereas staying rooted in custom.
