"Bessie" award winner LaTasha Barnes (Braintrust) is an internationally recognized and awarded dance artist, acclaimed educator, and tradition-bearer of Black American social dance. Currently operating between New York and Phoenix, Barnes’ expansive artistic, competitive, and performative skills have made her a frequent collaborator to arts organizations around the world including The Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts, Dorrance Dance, Summer Dance a Forever, and many others. In addition she is honored to serve as the visionary creator and Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed intergenerational and intercommunal Black cultural arts experience The Jazz Continuum. She is also grateful to be part of the Brain Trust guiding the ground-breaking stage production SW!NG OUT’, serve as Assistant Professor of Dance on the highly innovative faculty of Arizona State University School of Music, Dance & Theater, be a member of NEFER Global Movement Collective, and serve as Board Chair and company member to the iconic Ladies of Hip-Hop organization. Visit www.latashabarnes.com to learn more about her journey, achievements, and ways to support her cultural efforts.