Anna Evans-Goldstein takes a moment with Ballet After Dark Founder and CEO Tyde-Courtney Edwards and Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood, all former classmates at The Baltimore School for the Arts. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)

By James Fields

Ballet After Dark, the Baltimore nonprofit that uses dance to address trauma, held their holiday dinner for community members, volunteers and beneficiaries at the Eubie Blake Center on Dec. 6. The night was led by Mistress of Ceremony Tracie Jiggetts, and included multiple performances. 

Poet Mecca Verdell offered her sage words in honor of the organization, founded by Tyde-Courtney Edwards, who currently serves as CEO. The organization was formed as a way to help women heal from sexual assault using a variety of forms of dance, from ballet to jazz and hip hop. Edwards spoke to those gathered and disclosed a major announcement:  Ballet After Dark has secured a one million dollar grant to further heal members of the community through movement.

Tyde-Courtney Edwards is founder and CEO of Ballet After Dark. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Khy (left) and Zorah Simon (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Mistress of Ceremony Tracie Jiggetts (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Kalin Schultz (left), Walida Colon and Robin Lee (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Mila Mitchell (front, left) and Zuri Mitchell (front, right) enjoy the event with Iris Jay (back, left), Gene Kelly and Tempest Mitchell. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Beionka Scruggs (left) and Monte Huggins attend the 2024 holiday dinner. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Kyaira Ware is executive director of Black Women Benefit, an organization that works to provide free mental health services. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Briana Thomas is a dancer with Ballet After Dark. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Isaiah Williams (left), a guest of Ballet After Dark dancer Nalani Brown, shows support for the organization. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)
Jordan Stanford, a Ballet After Dark dancer (left) and Poet Mecca Verdell share a moment at the Ballet After Dark holiday dinner and fundraiser. (AFRO Photo/James Fields)