Panel
Black Queer and Breaking Into the Industry
In collaboration with Black AIDS Institute
Description
This conversation is part of our Community Partner Panel Series. Outfest Fusion believes that the way to break through the issues of access and bias is to center the voices within our community to discuss the issues that they are facing. The panels in this series were created by some of our amazing community partners and will be available for free throughout the Festival. This conversation was curated by the Black AIDS Institute!
ONLINE AVAILABLE APRIL 17 – 20
Moderated by:
David Coleman
David Coleman was born and raised in New York and relocated to sunny Los Angeles nearly 5 years ago. He works at Black Aids Institue (BAI) as their Social Support Coordinator, and runs programs for Black queer folks under a division called Revolution In Color.
Revolution In Color (RevInColor) is a BAI initiative founded upon the strength of brotherhood among young, Black, gay and bisexual men. Through outreach and events, RevInColor looks at risk reduction and HIV prevention from a social point of view
RevInColor focuses on personal goal setting, life skills and planning, and social experiences and events to mobilize young Black gay and bisexual men to shape a healthy community for themselves, build positive social connections, and support their friends to have safer sex and healthier relationships. Topics include themes such as dating, sexual health, mental health, social media, and ways to protect and maintain your health, particularly during the COVID-19 period.
The men in this group are committed to motivating and supporting each other to achieve personal success and health goals.
Participants
Packrat Lanvin
Stephanie Whitfield also known as Packrat Lanvin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Willingboro, New Jersey. She grew up as a freestyler, learning her skills between Philly and Jersey with the streets, clubs, various dance crews and television as her teachers. Packrat has trained in many dance styles including House, Vogue, African, Step, Locking, Tutting, Jersey Club, Baltimore Club, Hip- hop & Hip-hop choreography. In 2010 Packrat auditioned and was accepted to Mason Gross School Of The Arts at Rutgers University for dance with no formal training. There she focused on Modern dance and improvisation techniques participating in diverse classes and extracurricular activities adding Stroll, Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary dance to her repertoire. In 2013 she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Dance and moved to Los Angeles California shortly after where she has been living happily pursuing her passion for dance.
Packrat’s credits include Madonna, Kanye West, Khalid, N.E.R.D., Legendary HBO MAX, Aluna George ADIDAS, Under Armor, Faith Evans, Wanda Sykes, Dragun Beauty Campaign, House Of Lanvin, Rupaul’s Dragcon, Hollywood Divas, TTtheartist, Step-Up Revolution, Todrick Hall, Milk Makeup, Leikeli47, World Choreographer Awards, and Mason Gross School of The Arts. When Packrat is not dancing she enjoys modeling, fashion, laughing, making music, photography, reading and pretty much anything of a creative nature. She also actively participates in her home and ballroom communities. You can contact her on Instagram @_packrat_
Dashaun Wesley
A lifelong dancer & performer Dashaun Wesley has wowed crowds with his outstanding unique vogue dance style & charismatic personality!
His dedication, talent and ambition has landed Dashaun on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, in international commercials for Coca-Cola and inspired the creation of the Hip Hop dance “The 5000” making him an internet and media sensation, garnering millions of hits on Youtube. Dashaun is also the Master of Ceremonies for the HBO MAX reality competition show Legendary.
A Brooklyn, NY native Dashaun was introduced to the underground NYC Ballroom scene in High school where the dance phenomenon vogue was created; from that initial introduction it captivated his attention.
Dashaun is the host of the HBO MAX reality competition show Legendary. Dashaun currently travels the world touring with his dance company & hosting international dance competitions in Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden, St. Petersburg, Russia & Hong Kong, China.