Teaching rising stars

History has been in the making at African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) for almost 50 years. It's where stars are born. While for some this cultural arts gem in the heart of Liberty City appears to be a best-kept secret, it’s where thousands of the County’s children have blossomed irrespective of their family incomes. Miami-Dade families have been bringing their children to AHCAC for lessons in acting, dancing, singing, playing music, stage management, costume making, cinematography and more. The Center’s alumni list includes a who’s who of the international arts and entertainment industry, including Moonlight's co-writer Tarell McCraney.

The teaching crew are like family in this arts village led for over 40 years by Marshall Davis. “Our teachers consider the whole child, their families and inspire the best in them. [The] center teachers help our students to see that if they believe and work towards their goals, they can reach the stars,” said Managing Director Davis. He proudly recalls teachers and staff who’ve taught the center’s stars and rising stars. One such teacher is Eulyce Wiliams Eason. One of her students is Robert Battle, now artistic director of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre based in New York City.

Eason provides expert training and performance opportunities for young artist at the center. She’s proud of the accomplishments of students like Battle, Amos Machanic, Cheryl Rowley-Gaskins, Gelan Lambert, Fareedha Williams and others who have accomplished great things in dance. However, Eason said, "the greatest accomplishments has been my relationship with God, family and opportunities to give back to the community that gave so much to me.”

Eason is a dancer, choreographer and educator. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance at Florida State University and has trained extensively in ballet. While exposed to several American dance styles, she found very limited information about Black dance pioneers and performers. Eason decided to research on Black dance pioneers and to choreograph accordingly.

Eason's determination and persistence opened doors of opportunity to work with the Dean of Dance Dr. Nancy Smith-Ficher's "People's Dance" and internationally known Black dance pioneer Donald McKayle. She trained with the Martha Graham School of Dance and in Dunham at the Alvin Ailey American Dance School.

She returned to Miami to direct the Miami Northwestern Senior High School PAVAC Dance program, volunteered at the Model City Cultural Arts Center (now African Heritage Cultural Arts Center). She became a member of the Vinnette Carroll Repertory Theater. Eason worked with Phillip Michael Thomas on his video "Just the Way I Planned It" and several of MEnsemble's productions including “For Colored Girls” and “God's Trombone.”

While teaching at the Florene Nichol's Inner City Children's Touring Dance Company, Eason participated in an international cultural exchange program in West Africa. This allowed her to continue studies of African folkdance, clothing and music. The experience influenced her to teach and develop African dance curriculums for programs at New World School of the Arts, the African American Cultural Arts of Broward and Ft. Lauderdale Cultural Arts.

Eason has worked with many community organizations including Concerned African Women, Christian Community Service Agency, Artz-In-The Hood Inc. and the Boys & Girls Club. She was program director for the Community Crusade Against Drugs of South Florida Inc., and managed the Anakangkat (To Lift a Child Up) Afterschool Cultural Arts program. It offered educational and cultural arts programing for at-risk youth and their families in Opa-locka and Miami Gardens. Eason also directed the "Safety Kids! Stay Safe From Drugs" production which toured schools throughout Dade and Broward County.

The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center is managed by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.