Shawnette Heard, Founder

My journey through dance has taken me farther than I ever imagined—gracing stages alongside icons like Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jackson(just to name a few) and choreographing for powerful voices such as Beyoncé, Pink, and Janet. Yet beyond the lights and applause, what fuels me runs much deeper. I believe with all my heart that the universe placed me on this path for a purpose: to carve out space for others who come from where I come from. Growing up in the inner city, grappling with identity and the quiet ache of isolation, dance became more than an art form—it became my lifeline. Especially during the years I struggled silently with the pain of hiding my queerness, it was dance that kept me going. Today, through the Captiv8docu Foundation, I’m deeply honored to carry forward a legacy of hope—creating purpose, visibility, and belonging for the next generation of queer youth.

-Shawnette Heard