Dayton native Jeraldyne Blunden was a trailblazer. In 1963, during a time of uncertainty and unrest in America, she had the vision to create a dance school for African-American youth, who were excluded from Dayton’s segregated dance studios. With a troop of outstanding dancers, she established the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in 1968.
Now in its 56th season, DCDC has grown to be widely regarded as one of the nation’s best and most historically significant arts institutions, proudly boasting the largest repertory of works by Black choreographers in the world.
“We are a company of professional dance artists who are bold, electrifying, masterfully skilled and innovative. DCDC engages audiences through their hearts, minds, spirits and our common humanity, artfully demonstrating the power of the moving body,” said Shola Odumade, grants administrator for DCDC. “DCDC remains a vital performing arts institution and a seasoned educational resource locally and around the world.”
To help maintain this tradition of excellence far into the future, DCDC launched the Strategic Capacity Building for a Sustainable Future Initiative in 2023. The Dayton Foundation awarded a $64,000 discretionary grant for the effort in 2023, with an additional $64,000 awarded from The Harry A. Toulmin, Jr., and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of The Dayton Foundation. Collectively, these grants helped DCDC to implement new software, develop its board, hire business consultants and more.
“Thanks to these and other grants, DCDC executed critical activities to aid in strategically advancing the company’s operations,” Shola said. “Gifts like these are vital to the execution of day-to-day operations, organizational vitality and overall fiscal solvency.”
Rooted in the African-American experience, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is committed to reaching the broadest audience through exceptional performance and arts-integrated education.
To further this work, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, who previously served as the company’s artistic director since 2007, was named chief executive and artistic director last February. Debbie has deep roots with the company. As Jeraldyne’s daughter, she is fiercely committed to preserving its enduring legacy.
“DCDC’s remarkable 56-year legacy continues as we launch our 2024-2025 season,” Debbie said. “A time to recall, a time for dynamic presence, a time to venture forward, Timeless Grace is how DCDC will delight audiences with dances from our past, present and future.”
In addition to Debbie’s appointment, the company has made great strides in reestablishing touring operations, including enlisting the help of a touring agent to facilitate multiple bookings, as well as DCDC’s presence at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals in New York City, the industry’s premier networking event. Surveys also were conducted to inform new marketing strategies for audience cultivation and development.
Efforts like these are more important than ever, as, like most arts organizations, the pandemic hit the company hard. Though it pivoted to bring performances and programming to audiences in new and innovative ways, the lingering effects of the shutdown have resulted in significant struggles for the organization.
“DCDC saw a decrease in everything, most notably contributed income, subscribers, touring engagements, ticket sales and more,” Shola said. “We are only now beginning to see an increase in ticket holders, but it is not as prolific as it once was.”
In 2021, DCDC established an endowed fund through The Dayton Foundation to generate annual income for the organization and help ensure the organization’s long-term success.
“In addition to financial support, The Dayton Foundation has offered a wealth of resources, tools, networking and training opportunities, and learning experiences that have been extremely useful,” Shola said. “We truly are grateful for this partnership!”
Individual and community support also is crucial for DCDC’s future, whether it’s through purchasing subscriptions and tickets for upcoming performances, making charitable donations, providing corporate sponsorships, planning major or estate gifts, or volunteering.
“DCDC’s primary product and greatest asset is its exceptional artistic output. Sharing this art with the world is largely possible because of essential financial investments that help empower our mission and ensure long-term sustainability for the collective benefit and edification of all,” Debbie said. “We invite our cherished public to continue to share in the magic that is DCDC, and we offer gratitude for all we have built and continue to sustain together.”