Akron-based dancer/choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson is spearheading a new collaborative, multi-disciplinary project called inCOPnegro. It’s an evening length piece, which combines theater, dance and storytelling looking at the meaning of “safety” as a Black parent looking at how police interact with Black communities, drawing on Moore-Dunson’s thoughts as a new father. It’s also got a companion podcast component.
“As a 31-year-old Black man, I have been pulled over by police no less than 45 times in my life,” says Moore-Dunson. “Then after the death of George Floyd in 2020, as a father-to-be, I realized for the first time I didn’t only have to worry for my own safety, but that of my unborn son. I began reaching across my network asking Black parents, ‘How do you teach your kids about the police?’ and the overwhelming answer was, ‘You just teach them to get home.’”
The piece features a cast of five Black Artists from different disciplines: composer/musician Chris Coles, playwright/actor Maya Nicolson, hip hop artist Floco Torres, assistant choreographer/dancer Kevin Parker Jr, and Moore-Dunson, dancer and lead choreoegraper.
Currently, the inCOPnegro artists are interviewing Black officers, parents and civic leaders to incorporate their input into the project. If you have a story you think is relevant, call of text 330-439-4500 and share your story on a voicemail or text message. You may also submit a written story anonymously or schedule a meeting with Moore-Dunson to tell your story to him in person at incopnegro.com.
Follow the project as it develops and support it at incopnegro.com/support.