Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina McKenzie.
Hi Sabrina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From the Stage to the Statehouse: A Journey of Purpose
My story is one of purposeful evolution—a journey that began with movement and ministry and expanded into the realms of legislative activism and community development. It’s about translating a spiritual calling into tangible, impactful change.
The Foundation: Dance and Divine Calling
It all started with Liturgical Dance. My early work was centered on ministry, using the power of spiritual expression to connect, heal, and inspire. This led to the launch of Liturgical Dance Day (LDD) in 2005, a vision that blossomed from a local proclamation by Georgia’s Governor Sonny Purdue into a globally celebrated annual event, now recognized by Congressman Hank Johnson and celebrated by governors and mayors across the USA and dancers worldwide.
This movement became the foundation for the International Dance Commission (IDC), a globally renowned ministry network with thousands of members and chapters. They call me “The Dancing Preacher,” a title I embrace, as it speaks to the intersection of faith and action. This period of ministry also saw me publish 12 books and star on Bravo’s television show In A Man’s World, executive produced by Viola Davis, which allowed me to showcase dynamic leadership on a national stage.
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The Pivot: Activism and Legislative Impact
My deep faith naturally extended into a passion for social justice and advocacy. I realized that true ministry must address systemic inequality. This led to a significant shift into legislative work in Georgia. I leveraged my voice and platform to become an activist and legislative trailblazer, focusing on women’s and children’s rights.
I was instrumental in co-authoring two key pieces of legislation:
• The Georgia Student Religious Liberties Act of 2016 (Prayer In School House Bill 816).
• The Equal Rights Amendment House Resolution Bill 969 in 2018.
Beyond these, I successfully advocated to pass the Marcy’s Law victim’s rights bill and founded organizations like the National Taskforce Against Domestic Violence. My political science background, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry provided the academic rigor to pursue this legislative path, ensuring my activism was as informed as it was passionate.
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The Future: Equity and Economic Empowerment
Today, my story continues in Detroit, Michigan, where I’m translating decades of advocacy into equitable community revitalization. As an emerging developer, I am spearheading a critical project through my 501(c)(3) non-profit, Reimagine Detroit CDC, to build 20 new affordable apartments
This initiative is the culmination of everything—it bridges my lifelong commitment to justice with a focus on economic empowerment and equity in housing. It’s the highest expression of my ministry: ensuring that the most vulnerable in our communities have access to safe, high-quality, and affordable living.
In short, I started as a dancer with a dream and became a Visionary, Advocate, and Transformational Leader who uses every platform—the stage, the statehouse, and the community construction site—to build a more just and equitable world. My journey is proof that faith and fire, when combined, are an unstoppable force for change.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Obstacles are simply opportunities for profound growth. My path hasn’t been a smooth road; it’s been one of intentional perseverance, overcoming challenges that span from skepticism in ministry to resistance in the political arena and hurdles in development.
Key Struggles and Triumphs
1. Breaking the Mold in Ministry and Media
When I launched Liturgical Dance Day (LDD) and the International Dance Commission (IDC), the main struggle was overcoming the historical skepticism toward dance as a serious form of ministry. People questioned its validity, forcing me to continually advocate for spiritual dance as a valuable and profound artistic expression—a battle that was finally validated by the official resolutions and global acceptance LDD now enjoys. Starring on Bravo’s In A Man’s World also brought the challenge of navigating national television while staying authentic to my pastoral and advocacy calling.
2. Navigating the Political System
The legislative path was perhaps the most challenging. Advocating for bills like the Equal Rights Amendment House Resolution Bill 969 and the Georgia Student Religious Liberties Act meant facing significant political resistance, lengthy delays, and the challenge of building broad, bipartisan consensus. You are constantly fighting against inertia. The struggle wasn’t just about crafting powerful language, but about the sheer endurance required to lobby, negotiate, and educate lawmakers to move a bill from concept to reality.
3. The Hurdles of Equitable Development
My latest venture into housing development in Detroit, through Reimagine Detroit CDC, presents entirely new challenges. Developing the 2900 Tyler Lofts and Miracle Cafe involves complex issues like securing financing, navigating zoning and municipal processes, and ensuring the project delivers on its promise of truly affordable and equitable housing. The struggle here is balancing the need for speed with the commitment to quality and community integration, ensuring we are not just building houses, but revitalizing a community while fighting systemic inequality in lending and development.
In every phase, the struggle has ultimately strengthened my resolve and refined my vision, transforming initial obstacles into a deeper, more impactful legacy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The International Dance Commission?
The International Dance Commission (IDC): Feet That Preach, Voices That Advocate
The International Dance Commission (IDC) is not just a dance organization; it is a globally renowned ministry network and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on the principle of uniting the worship arts community for spiritual growth, cultural exchange, and legislative advocacy.
What We Do & What We Specialize In
The IDC operates as a multicultural umbrella organization and resource pool with a dual mission:
Global Ministry and Community Building: We connect, empower, and equip dance ministries, artists, and performing arts companies around the world. We offer a platform for spiritual growth through workshops, choreography assistance, and our flagship annual event, Dancing Preachers International (DPI).
Advocacy and Education: We actively serve as a resource for organizations focused on the arts and education, with a crucial emphasis on lobbying government for recognition and funding of faith-based arts programs. Our motto is: “We Don’t Just Dance, We Vote.”
What We Are Known For
We are globally known for:
Liturgical Dance Day (LDD): As the visionary organization that launched LDD in 2005, we are the central force behind its annual global celebration, which elevates spiritual dance as a valuable artistic and spiritual expression.
Legislative Clout: We are recognized for our unique ability to bridge the gap between the pulpit and the political process, using our collective voice to champion arts-in-education and social justice policies.
Empowering Youth: Our initiatives, such as the IDC Youth Initiative Boss-Sis, go beyond dance, providing young women with job readiness training, tech certifications (like IBM), financial literacy, and crucial life skills.
What Sets Us Apart
What makes the IDC truly unique is its unflinching commitment to tangible impact through unified action:
The Intersection of Faith and Policy: We are distinguished by our legislative work. Our Founder, Apostle Sabrina McKenzie, has a proven track record of co-authoring bills and advocating for legislation. We move beyond performance to policy, making us a force not just in the sanctuary, but in the Statehouse.
Global Reach with Local Impact: With over 2,780 members and 40 chapters worldwide, we offer a vast network for support and collaboration, yet our programs are designed to create meaningful change in local communities through outreach and advocacy.
Holistic Empowerment: Our focus is not just on dance technique, but on the whole person. We prioritize education, self-esteem, healthy habits, and financial literacy alongside spiritual and artistic development.
Brand Pride: Our Most Impactful Achievements
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the global acceptance and legislative validation of Liturgical Dance Day (LDD). To see a vision grow from a state proclamation to a federally recognized movement, backed by a resolution from an American Congressman, proves the power and value of this art form. This achievement is the strongest testament to our brand: Faith-Fueled Transformation and Advocacy.
What We Want Readers to Know
We want your readers to know that the IDC is a movement for those who believe that worship is active, artistic, and impacts every sphere of life.
Our Brand, Offerings, and Services:
Global Network: Join a supportive, powerful global ministry with chapters on every continent.
Conferences: Attend our annual Dancing Preachers International (DPI) conference for advanced training and spiritual enrichment.
Advocacy: Become part of an organization that actively lobbies for the arts and social justice, amplifying your voice.
Youth Empowerment: Support or participate in our initiatives that equip the next generation of women leaders with vital career and life skills.
The IDC is where the art of movement meets the power of movement—in ministry, in the community, and in the halls of government. We are committed to leaving a legacy that is not just seen, but felt through measurable change.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
What they might not know is that my most current and surprising endeavor is in the field of equitable housing development in Detroit, Michigan, through my non-profit, Reimagine Detroit CDC.
From the Dance Floor to the Development Site
The most surprising fact is that the same passion I used to co-author the Equal Rights Amendment bill is now being channeled into becoming an Emerging New Developer—a realm traditionally dominated by men and high finance.
The link isn’t obvious, but it is profound:
The Mission is the Same: My entire life’s work is dedicated to fighting systemic inequality. Moving from advocating for a Prayer in School Bill to advocating for affordable housing simply shifts the battleground from the Statehouse to the structural foundation of a community.
The Specific Project: I am currently spearheading a major initiative to build 20 new affordable apartments and commercial cafe
The Deep Dive: This has meant shifting my focus from the nuances of constitutional law to mastering the complexities of zoning, construction financing, and community revitalization.
In short, the woman who brings together global liturgical dancers is now laying bricks to bring affordable, high-quality living to an underserved community. It’s a move that proves my brand is about transformational action in every sector—not just the spiritual or the political, but the economic and structural as well.
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Image Credits
Calvin Haynes and Anteon Mayweather
