Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenear Kidd.
Jenear Kidd, is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She developed a passion for dance, singing, and acting at a very early age. Because of her talent and love for the arts at such a young age, she often found herself as the youngest amongst her peers. She attended Redan High School where she became involved in several academic organizations, the dance auxiliary team, and the Blue Thunder Marching Band. This time, she traded in her clarinet for the snare drum and joined the Sudden Impact Percussion Section. During her sophomore year, she decided to audition for the Platinum Divas Drill Team during. Not only did she make the team, but she was also named the captain of the drill team. Her senior year of high school, she auditioned for the role of principal actor/dancer in the movie Drumline, where she was cast as youngest and the only high school dancer as a part of the fictional college band Atlanta A&T. Between school and sometimes 80 hours a week of filming, she manages to graduate with honors from Redan High School in 2002.
In the summer of 2002, she auditioned to become a member of the Sonic Boom of the South as a Prancing J-Settes. She made the squad receiving scholarship allowing her to continue her education at Jackson State University. During her time as a J-Sette, she traveled and performed with the band for four (4) years. Some performances include: Southern Heritage Classic, The 2003 NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood, California, Battle of the Bands, and many other performances. During her tenure, she left a legacy by creating choreography that is still being performed today. She also joined organizations while attending Jackson State University. Organizations include: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International and new inductee of the Nu Chapter of Chi Tau Epsilon Honorary Dance Society of Grambling State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 2006. Soon after receiving her bachelor’s, she decided to further her education, receiving a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling 2008.
In 2008, she married her college sweetheart Cedric Kidd, who was also a member of Jackson State Universities “Sonic Boom of the South”. The same year they welcomed their first child Jalea Kidd. In 2008, she became the Assistant Coach for the Jackson Dancing Dolls, which allowed her to continue her passion for dance while mentoring and helping young girls. In 2011, she had her second child Cedric Kidd Jr. In 2012, she returned to Atlanta with her family where she continued her career as a counselor while also continuing her passion for dance by working with several high schools and dance camps in the Atlanta area providing choreography and mentoring youth. In 2018, she became the Head Coach of the Atlanta Dancing Dolls. Within the first year, the team has won grand champion at every competition they have competed in.
Congratulations on your success as head coach of the Atlanta Dancing Dolls! What were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to success is almost never easy. Some of my struggles along the way were falling out of love with my craft and not placing myself in the dance world for auditions. If you are not round people that are connected to art that you are trying to pursue, it becomes hard. At a young age, I didn’t know much about networking, or the term “who you know, not what you know”. I can remember turning down opportunities because my mother wanted me to go to college and have a degree. Separating myself from those opportunities held me back and derailed my future plans. Of course you must always have a plan and set realistic goals, however, that does not mean things will always work in your favor. Your environment may have distractions that deter yours from pursuing dreams. When there are people around you that may not agree with a future that you see because it may not have a steady income, or it doesn’t fit into their perception of the “order of life”, you have to make sure you are comfortable with your path and follow it. Don’t allow anyone to make decisions about your thoughts, dreams, and future. If you are starting your journey, have a set plan of who, what, when, where, how and why. Also, have action plans when you see yourself falling off track.
What else should we know about your career so far?
I am a Career Pathways Specialist at the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. I as a liaison between The Georgia Department of Education and GVRA with students with disabilities that are in school receiving services under an IEP or 504 plan providing services to become more successful in their goal for post-secondary or employment.
I am known for being a part of The Sonic Boom of The South as a Prancing J-Sette from Jackson State University from 2002-2006.
I have worked with Carver and Mundy’s Mill High School as Chorographer/Sponsor.
I am a dance coach/trainer for the HBCU Dance summer camp created by Keelia Brown.
I am the Head Coach of the Dancing Dolls of Stone Mountain, GA.
I am most proud of the passion that I have for dance and the passion to teach dance. I feel that sets me apart from others. There are extremely great dancers that don’t know how to teach, break choreography down for better understanding to get everyone to look like one person. It also takes a special kind of person that can teach and train over 150 girls to dance in sync. There is a science to the majorette world that not all people can tap into.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
If you don’t have patience, passion, and the drive to pursue, do not waste your time on it. Be humble and always be a student. Don’t ever feel comfortable, always go for the next step and if one isn’t there, then create one.
Image Credit:
Sterling Photography
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