In 1968, the Chuck Davis Dance Company was founded in New York City with Chuck Davis as the Artistic Director. The company performed to rave reviews in the New York area and elsewhere in the United States, gradually establishing itself as one of the nation's premier Afro-American dance companies. This was the company that came to Durham in 1980 at the invitation of the ADF. Each season from 1980 to 1984 the Chuck Davis Dance Company was in residence with the ADF’s Community Services Program and each season the participants in this outreach program grew. By 1983 it had become obvious that there was a developing core of local dancers whose levels of proficiency were approaching those of the professionals from whom they were learning. The African American Dance Ensemble was born. professional company.
"Peace, love, respect for everybody," is much more than a catchy way to end a concert and the African American Dance Ensemble is much more than just another dance troupe. The Ensemble is an agency of positive social change and reinforcement of the best of human values (peace, love and respect).
