International Day for People of African Descent

Societies around the world are increasingly recognizing the role structural racism plays in driving social, economic and political inequalities ; several countries have made racial profiling and discrimination illegal and have introduced policies to promote the rights and choices for people of African descent. Governments have accelerated their efforts to make Afro-descendants more statistically visible in order to address historical injustices and to bridge gaps in access to health care, social services and opportunities . Further action, political will and investments are needed to end inequalities and ensure the full empowerment of people of African descent .

Indelible stories of living African dance within the African diaspora. The popularity and profile of African dance have exploded across the African diaspora in the last fifty years. Hot Feet and Social Change presents traditionalists, neo-traditionalists, and contemporary artists, teachers, and scholars telling some of the thousands of stories lived and learned by people in the field. Concentrating on eight major cities in the United States, the essays explore myths about African dance while demonstrating its power to awaken identity, self-worth, and community respect.