A moment.

Humanity. Connection. Love.

On Saturday, March 5th, 2016, founder Jamal Rashann Callender took part in facilitating and curating a dance workshop for refugees in Mannheim, Germany. The participants had traveled far, seeking hope after fleeing homes torn apart by war and genocide. These men came from Afghanistan, Iran, Kurdistan, Somalia, Gambia, and Nigeria.

This wasn’t just a dance workshop. Many of these men had never received formal dance training, yet dance was at their core. What I witnessed was a collective sigh of relief—a rare moment where they weren’t burdened by memories of the past or anxieties about the future. For that brief time, they lived entirely in the present.

It was a moment where laughter was welcome, where they learned dance steps from different cultures and created small phrases of movement. A moment of accountability, teamwork, and shared joy. Together, we experienced something unique—something that would never happen for us again in the same way.

Germany has opened its doors to refugees, yet relocation remains a constant reality. Many of these incredible men I may never see again. But for that one fleeting moment, we shared something profound—something we will all carry with us for the rest of our lives.

A heartfelt thank you to Nils Cooper for his vision and dedication, and to my dear friends and colleagues, Julia Headley and Brian McNeal. Here’s to many more moments like this!

photos by GERHARD HECKMANN.