Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Carlisle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Morgan. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
For most of my childhood and adolescence, dance has been part of my identity. It made me more than just my race or gender in a community that collectively labeled people based on common stereotypes. I grew up in a small town (Paris, TN) where diversity was not important, and many communities were still overtly segregated. As one of the few black children in my community, a label of what I did; rather than who I was, became how the locals referred to me.
I was known as “The Dancer”. To ensure a respectable reputation, I took my assigned identity very seriously. I started taking college dance classes at the age of 14 and was certain that this would be my career. My college experience was riddled with financial, familial and emotional setbacks. I was able to finish my dance degree, and accepted my diploma alone, with no one in the stands to support me. I felt nothing. No pride, not even relief after my graduation ceremony.
A year after graduating, I reached a pinnacle moment where I finally realized that I had never been performing for myself, but for the acceptance of others. While devastated by this epiphany, I had to reevaluate who I was and what motivated me. I felt trapped in the dance industry having only gained a degree in dance, thus not qualifying for other jobs outside the field. I then began to explore a passion for helping others through community service. When at service to the arts or others in need, I felt whole.
Volunteering in arts administration has given me an outlet to help my community of other creatives. I have worked years to build a reputation as a reliable source of information and a viable bridge between sub-communities in the Atlanta art world. A personal goal of mine is to help ensure that equal opportunities are provided to all creatives in Atlanta. This is to make sure that the greatest amongst us are not forgotten or buried under prejudice or a lack of social resources.
This new found passion had driven me to give 100% and leave nothing for myself. I was left being known more for being a networking professional or an avid supporter of the arts as opposed to a professional artist. I was also experiencing chronic panic attacks and could not manage the stress and pressure I was putting on myself. Time management and boundary setting are the largest lessons I have learned over the years of volunteering.
Now that I have those, my capacity for achieving my goals are more vast and sincere than ever before. Naturally, I have also felt comfortable in making more work of my own and have been fortunate to work with my husband on a series of exhibitions about combat veterans transitioning to the civilian world. (LEFT OUT). I am able to make work where and when I please and enjoy the process of creating something for others to experience.
You can check out my personal work here: morgan-carlisle.com. As for arts administration, I am currently the Board Chair of Fly on a Wall (an Idea House for experimental performance) and sit on the Marta Arts Council. For work, I prefer to teach for non-profits or dance related programs whose visions I share. This summer I started Veracity Dance Company LLC as a dance program for youth.
In light of some initial hindrances, I have been able to create a brand and maintain a level of quality that my patrons appreciate. A student not only gains a credible foundation as a VDC dancer but receives a sense of fellowship between the company, the students and the parents.
I base my company on my client’s hopes, dreams, and needs and we all stay in constant communication together. I want to create the community that I long for in the next generation of artists. Meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is rarely smooth sailing for anyone. My armor is being consistently fair, even when it negatively affects me.
I am a giver by nature. I grew up in a household of conditional love where affection was given only when I was successful at something. This created an unhealthy balance in me of conditional giving in adulthood where I gave with hidden expectations of validation. I ended up attracting a lot of fake people who knew if they just pretended to be my friend, I would give them everything I had. I am not a victim in these situations and do not get wrapped up in blaming other people for behaviors I allowed.
After a few friendship and business blows, I felt my emotionally clouded behavior was unacceptable and toxic for my growth. Therefore, I started focusing on also providing opportunities to people I did not get along with; knowing they just deserved it through talent or merit. I stopped putting unreasonable emotional value onto the individuals I work with. I have simpler relationships with my friends and do not hold expectations for them.
And, when I see a hint of manipulation, I immediately drop the relationship… no… matter… the cost. I know I will continue to experience the complexities of dealing with exploitive people. In these instances, I remain an open book and stick to my convictions and tools for managing these situations. I focus on being fair and pushing a culture of open dialogue that is inclusive and allows a progression of quality and growth for anyone who is open to it.
Being an entrepreneur comes with its own struggles. Making the actual business happen is very time-consuming. I am also just getting started in this business journey. Veracity means “truth” and the truth is, we a fallible and vulnerable. As long as I am able to keep integrity, empathy, and transparency as the company’s personal ethos, I believe everything will be just fine.
Being a business owner also means making hard decisions upfront. I know that at times, everyone wins and sometimes everyone loses. I try to be brave for those latter times and do what I know is right.
Veracity Dance Company – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Veracity Dance Company specializes in providing affordable quality dance instruction to communities who need it. VDC utilizes training and coaching techniques to instill confidence, security, and independence in our students for all walks of life.
What sets VDC apart is the level of care provided to our families. In a time where art is becoming more manufactured, and customer service is hard to find, VDC provides it all. I get to know all of my students, parents and extended families. VDC organizes events for us to come together as one dance family. I feel so lucky to have diehard students and parents that believe in my vision. Everywhere we go, we all go together!
Right now, VDC has a partnership with the West End Farmers Market. For the next two months on the third Saturday, you can find VDC facilitating free classes and polling the community about what they would like to see a program for the future.
I hit the ground running. VDC has only been in operation for one month and is already drawing attention. People know that I am an about it kind of girl and thankfully I had a lot of supporters to guide me along the way. I’m a big picture thinker and am already in the year 2023 starting our second month of operating haha.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moments come when working with others to achieve a goal or an outcome. No matter how big or small that is. I experience pride when I finish teaching a class where my students were engaged.
I experience pride when a nonprofit I am volunteering for meets a developmental goal. I recently experienced pride on the eight-year anniversary of my marriage to my best friend, Carlos.
So many little things take a lot more work than most would assume. I am also proud to be me. I have and will continue to work hard on that and am thankful for all the people who have helped shape me so far!
Contact Info:
- Website: veracitydance.com
- Email: veracitydancecompany@gmail.com
- Instagram: veracitydancecompany
- Facebook: veracitydance
Image Credit:
Jamie Hopper, Alan Kimara Dixon, Fly on a Wall
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