Dwana Adiaha Smallwood

Proclaimed "one of the greatest modern dancers" by Vogue Magazine, Brooklyn born dancer Dwana A. Smallwood danced before millions as a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show as a part of her "The Best..." series. Smallwood learned to dance at an early age, which led to her tenure as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has appeared on many American television shows including Sesame Street, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Vibe, BK Live, Wbls FM 107.5, ABC 7 NY News, The Kennedy Center Honors and was featured on Oprah's: Where Are They Now. Smallwood was also featured in American Public Broadcasting's "Great Performances," and the documentary "Beyond the Steps." and appears in the documentary, "A Hymn for Alvin Ailey." She was featured in Vogue Magazine, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, National Geographic, Girl Scout Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, New York Moves, Essence Magazine and was the second black woman to ever grace the cover of Dance Magazine. In 2005, Ms. Smallwood was celebrated as one of the "50 Most Beautiful New Yorkers" by New York Magazine. Ms. Smallwood, who has spent a lifetime mentoring young people, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Ile-Ase, Brooklyn in 2009 for her continued support of the world's young women. In January 2009, Ms. Smallwood moved to South Africa joining the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG), where she was the architect of the school's Dance Program. She was also the Co-Curricular Coordinator, the Director of Student Affairs and served on the Executive Committee. In 2013, she returned home to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and founded the Dwana Smallwood Performing Arts Center (DSPAC), as a newly incorporated not-for-profit, bringing top-flight dance instruction for children and youth, aiming to mold elite dancers, create community identity, and encourage creative activity in neglected inner-city neighborhoods. Serving as the Executive Director, she wears many hats. Smallwood serves the organization with human resources, operations, and technology, financial management, board support, fundraising, program development, grant writing, community relations, including marketing. In addition, she continues to teach, choreograph, and design and construct costumes. Ms. Smallwood studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts and received a B.A. from SUNY Empire State College, with a Dance major. She also studied at the Ailey School, London Contemporary Dance School, Brooklyn Arts & Cultural Association, the Martha Graham School, Jubilations and The Palucca School in Germany.