Local dance group 10K Movement soon will gain nonprofit status.
The Cleveland-based group aspires to bring the world of hip-hop, street dancing and other dance styles to Northeast Ohio, including Lorain and Cuyahoga counties, as one of the only groups of its kind.
Since 2020, 10K Movement has brought the talents of many accredited dancers and instructors to youth in schools who are interested in learning hip-hop and street dancing, according to Samuel McIntosh, founder and executive director.
“I’ve been planning this since like 2014 to 2017; I was just thinking about the idea of starting the organization,” said McIntosh, who competes in dance battles all over the world.
The group consists of dancers who participate in different dance battles and competitions both nationally and globally, he said.
With 10K Movement’s qualified dancers, each specializing in different dance styles, students can learn the best techniques and skills to thrive in the dance community.
“We just kind of dance battle and train,” McIntosh said. “Everybody at our organization kind of dances at a world class level, so we’re like how can we bring that world class level information to Cleveland.”
The group’s programming is spread out with different events and activities, like pop-up classes and workshops, in addition to the eight schools 10K Movement partners with for classes, he said.
Working in schools and teaching students have been the group’s main priority despite the many events that happen throughout the year, McIntosh said.
“Every dance (style) is super different, it’s like saying tap and ballet are the same when they are two different styles, two different cultures,” he said. “Every street style is a direct reflection of the communities; obviously, a lot of these dances are from different cities.”
According to McIntosh, 10K Movement helps bridge the gap between those who don’t know about the impact of the hip-hop and street dancing community and those who are yearning to teach others and spread the word.
Former students at “multiple levels” return each year to teach classes and workshops, he said.
“People don’t know what that success of a dancer looks like; I think it really creates the best model here in the city,” McIntosh said. “It’s a really cool pipeline that we have actual practicing artists who are young, who are still practicing and can teach the kids right there.”
According to McIntosh, the impact the group has made on the community can be related to the way each dance performed keeps the integrity of the culture “versed,” and this can be seen through various events and performances.
“We haven’t scratched the surface on what hip-hip can do,” he said. “It’s going to be the next big wave in terms of sporting.”
For more information on upcoming events or workshops, visit 10kmovement.org.
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