Founder and Artistic Director for Brownbody
MeetDeneaneRichburg
Deneane uses movement and the physical form to push the boundaries of creative expression to disrupt the narratives around blackness.
“ I'm very much interested in creating spaces and experiences where we are able to understand who we are beyond the categories and the ideologies that are typically assigned and described to Black communities.”
Deneane Richburg
Storytelling Through Movement
Founded in 2007, Brownbody combines figure skating, modern dance and theater to tell stories of African-American culture and history.
The donation-based learn to skate program centers blackness in the curriculum, format and structure of its lessons. Youth and adults connect in community and movement.
Snapshots
Embodied Training
Brownbody offers embodied training workshops designed to acknowledge and address the trauma of racial oppression. Through reflection-based dialogue, participants learn how to disempower rooted narratives of the Black community.
“ Let's celebrate the beauty that is a part of our culture, our history and our lineage.”
Deneane Richburg
More Stories
2024: A Year of Partnership and Innovation
In 2024 we worked closely with various community partners such as nonprofit organizations, fundholders and fellow foundations to continue envisioning an equitable, just and vibrant Minnesota where all communities and people thrive.
View Our 2024 Year In Review
Foundations Announce $10.3 Million in 2024 Second-Round Community Grants
Grants will provide crucial funding resources to community organizations making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families across the East Metro and Greater Minnesota.
Read the announcement
Sara Ochs: Bridging Theater and Music in a New Artistic Journey
Sara Ochs is a multidisciplinary theater artist and songwriter. With support from Art in This Present Moment, Sara will be exploring her talents as a songwriter, writing new music and potentially a one woman play.
See the project
Staging Community: Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Local Theater
Learn how you can go from audience to advocate by supporting organizations like Exposed Brick Theatre.
Read More
Mother and Son Duet Bridges the Gap Between Old and New
Mothers often have close relationships with their sons, but in the case of Maria Biagetti Cortez and Vladimir Garrido-Biagetti, that bond is deeply immersed in their culture and music.
See the project
2024 Bush Prize: Minnesota Winners
Congratulations to these Minnesota nonprofit organizations recognized for their strong histories of innovation and community problem solving.
See the Winners
Engaging Communities for Change Through Grantmaking
Learn how the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation is partnering with nonprofits, donors and anti-racism advocates to make a better Minnesota in this video with President and CEO Eric J. Jolly, Ph.D.
Hear from Dr. Jolly
Songs of Connection: Conductor Strives to Desegregate the Choral Community
Music is a universal language, and no one knows that more than Ahmed Fernando Anzaldúa El Samkary.
See the project