Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Flows Igeleke.
Hi Candice Flows, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To briefly walk you through—where do I begin? I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to my mother, Maria Williams-Bethea, and my father, Russell Bethea. I am one of 7 siblings, 8 counting my God-sister and best friend Sha’Tequa (hey girl!). I started dancing when I was young, maybe about four or five years old. My auntie St. Faith introduced me to company dance. And if you let my family tell it, every dance battle at our family birthday parties was rigged because my mother was a judge. But I won all of them. All I had to do was throw my heel-toe in there or hit the split, and it was mine. I probably didn’t win all of them, because my family can boogie! But I come from an artistic, funny, family-oriented, tight-knit family. So all the encouragement and the “Oh, she thinks she can dance” really paid off.
Fast forward to training in Brooklyn, New York—Leaps and Bounds, Creative Outlet, Melissa Vaughn, growing up dancing in school, and falling in love with traditional West African dance thanks to my amazing dance teacher and mentor, Shawné Lee. Fast forward to high school, attending Repertory Company for Theater Arts, Mr. G’s class, going across the floor, and really stepping into my leadership as a dancer. My friends and I made up dances and were known as the dancers of the school, which was a huge part of my journey. Because of how close we got in school, we branched out in the community.
I joined Impact Repertory Theater in Harlem under the direction of Jamal Joseph and Voza Rivers, which really tapped deeper into my dancing, singing, and spoken word bag. Because of that relationship, we were always in Harlem. We started our own dance crew, “Ovanite Celebrities.” We had a motto: “Ovanite Celebrates—something like a movement, you need to get in tune with it. They call us God because of our G-O-D. If you don’t apply, let it fly, ya dig?” Yeah, we thought we were hot stuff—and we were.
From being part of Ovanite Celebrities to joining the Urban Dance Alliance (UDA) and dancing with “We Run This” under the direction of David Thomas, I also joined a Brooklyn-based marching band called the Approaching Storm, under the direction of Sergio Carter. So as you can see, there were lots of moving pieces in my life—lots of influence, but different elements where I could continue to build on my dance, my love for community, and how people show up for each other. The realization of how friendships and being passionate about something you love can build really strong relationships and take you places you never imagined was pivotal for me.
All of that exposure and experience led me to want to attend a historically Black college, so I attended Norfolk State University, where I danced for the best band in the land—the Norfolk State Spartan Legion. I joined the smooth, sexy, and so precise Ladies of Hot Ice Auxiliary Dance Line and sisterhood.
While pursuing a degree in early childhood education, teaching at Dance Dimensions Studio (Eboni Young), and dancing with Upstream Society (Terence Beckles), I went to a training in Tennessee: the Ella Baker Child Policy Training for Freedom Schools. That’s where I met my husband. Meeting him brought me to Columbus, Ohio. And yeah, I did some amazing revolutionary grassroots organizing when I got here. Because of the culture shock and everything that comes with moving to a new environment and not having your outlet, there was another realization of how important dance was to me. Not only did I love dancing and enjoy dancing, but I needed to dance. I needed to dance to stay well. I needed dance to release.
On that journey, I found community classes. I attended the Di-ver-city Dance Conference put on by Shelly Ridley-Stewart, and that’s where I found the community of dance—Goree Drum and Dance, Gamal Brown, Lawrence Lemon, the Lincoln Theater space, and of course Adrianne Collins, who led a beautiful liturgical piece. I literally cried through her entire class because, for a very long time since I had moved, I finally felt like I could breathe and release all the stress and things I had been holding onto.
Fast forward a little more, I got a taste of dance and wanted more. I started attending community classes by Thiossane West African Dance Institute and was later asked to join the company, which was amazing. Maroon Arts Group (shoutout to the family!) was putting on events that brought artists, creatives, and good people together often. I found a home away from home. I found a village. I revisited—or came back into contact with—my first love. I’ve been growing and learning ever since.
The dance and creative community has stretched beyond Columbus, and I’ve made new relationships, strengthened old ones, made new friends, learned more, traveled more, and—fast forward a bit more (I know, I love a good fast forward)—2020 happened. The pandemic hit. I was in the middle of my cohort, the Emerging Black Choreographers Cohort, put on by MOJOBA of Cleveland, Ohio, when everything kind of shut down. That’s when we had a chance to slow down and really look at ourselves and reflect on our lives and everything.
I decided I wanted to do more for health and wellness—not only for me but for my family. So I decided to get certified in yoga and mindfulness. During my certification, we were planning to have a baby. I completed my entire yoga certification while pregnant. Coming out of that with some challenges and growth, it shifted who I am, how I show up in spaces, how I need to care for myself, and everything else. With all of my experiences, I wanted to create something to build a network and community of dancers to train, but also to find the joy and release in your body and your mind. That’s what led me to create Candice Flows. And you’ll hear more about that later.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was smooth when I knew I wanted to take my love for dance and community to an official platform, but transitioning from an artist to businesswoman is an adjustment and transformative experience. There’s this weird discomfort I had around discussing money, realizing my worth again and again, stepping into my value, advocating for artists who are in and outside of the room, the fear of missing out on opportunities so I jump to say “yes” for “exposure and opportunity” when it should’ve been a strong “no,” knowing when to say yes and feeling good about it, knowing your worth (intentionally repeated because it’s something I had to revisit often, like I put all of the work, dedication, time, effort, love, and pain in this thing. I deserve!), showing up in spaces unapologetically and confidently, and identifying and reflecting on when and why I code-switched and eventually noticed how often that reflection came up and decided to be ME always. I can go on but there’s so much that I struggle with and continue to struggle with, and that’s growth.
The smoothness returned when I realized that this was MY business, and I could shift and move as needed to. Yes, to benefit my mental and physical wellness, but to follow with this road was taking me. To release what I thought my role was and to listen and follow. This was my first time running a business so it’s a learning curve. I could give myself grace, but not too much. I used to feel overwhelmed and stressed, but then I understood something simple: I can take a break. I can close my bookings to pause because I can. As Toni Jones says “I release the temptation to practice the habit of sacrificing my nutrition for the grind.” I could pause, revisit, and make updates to business when needed. Even though I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do, my practice and performance took on a life of its own, and I had to follow it because it aligned more with what was needed at the time. I never strayed too far, just more refined and the mission was clear. I’m grateful for the lessons and relationships I’ve gained and nurtured along the way.
OH! And let’s not forget TAXES as an entrepreneur—there should really be more classes on that because that was a doozy! As a business owner, I believed in advocating for artists by paying them what they’re truly worth—or as close to it as possible. Mind you, this was without applying for grants (that’s on me, I was just starting out). I wanted to offer real value, not just what we were used to as artists: performing for “exposure” or accepting lowball offers for large-scale performances where they say “this is our budget, I know it’s not much” while the event itself is five-star everything. I’m giving extreme examples to make a point. Don’t get me wrong, exposure can have its benefits sometimes. But after you’ve put in years of work, invested in yourself, and gained visibility in the field, it’s time to be acknowledged and paid your WORTH. In my commitment to providing fair compensation while building my brand, I often didn’t pay myself. During the first year and a half of my business, I frequently came home with less than I started with—or nothing at all. It’s all a learning curve, for sure. Being a contractor was an eye-opener, especially when it came time to file those 1099s—that hit hard! We need more classes about taxes and business practices because we don’t know what we don’t know, and most of the time, we either weren’t taught these things or only learned the bare minimum. Yeah, I’m going to start these classes. Just decided.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a movement artist, choreographer, Joy Curator, certified yoga instructor, village keeper, and creative entrepreneur based in Columbus, Ohio. I’m trained in Traditional West African, Hip Hop, Contemporary Modern styles, Dancehall, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) auxiliary dance, and African Diaspora-inspired movement. This all influences my eclectic choreography which I call my “Flowstyle” and my dance family calls “Candice-isms” (after my mentor Gamal Brown/”Gamal-isms” from his style of teaching and dance).
I’m known for my high energy, being funny, and bringing joy—whether in friendships, business relationships, performances, or any space I enter. I’m proud of what Candice Flows has become. Initially, I started it because I struggled to find training and performance opportunities in dance styles I was passionate about when I wasn’t part of a company. I wanted to create a place where individuals could train together, improve their technique, and build community. At first, I thought such places didn’t exist, but I soon learned I was kind of wrong.
Today, Candice Flows has evolved into something more profound: a space where people—both dancers and non-dancers—can show up authentically, find joy and healing in movement, and rediscover love for their bodies. It’s a place where people are inspired to dance, build community with fellow artists and movers, relearn to breathe, and love themselves. Here, they learn to put themselves first and claim their space. We teach that joy matters and exists both within and around us. Candice Flows isn’t just a business—it’s an experience. What makes me most proud is that Candice Flows truly embodies my essence. Not simply because I founded it, but because it represents my love, joy, reflections, affirmations, vulnerability, and truths.
I bring one hundred percent of myself to this work. When I engage with others—whether through consulting, meetings, performances, or instruction—it deeply resonates with my audience. I’m proud that after experiencing Candice Flows, people leave transformed and inspired to take action, whatever that action may be. What sets me apart is simply me. I have an infectious energy, joy, and authentic love for people. During performances, whether it’s intended or not, I’m naturally drawn to the energy around me—either holding space for those who need it or offering what I can provide. Most of my business has grown through word of mouth, through people’s testimonials and experiences with me.
People often tell me, “I took one class with you last year and that’s the most free I’ve ever felt” or “I really needed this” and “Because of how you dance, I want you to lead a retreat.” The power of movement, particularly in how I teach and show up, has been transformative. Being authentically vulnerable in my dance space has affirmed that I can BE—and be welcomed and accepted as my full self—even outside the spaces I deem safe.
Now, my work, my creative process? That’s a journey. As a movement artist, I appreciate the history, culture, and power of dance in all its forms. For a long time, I kept my fears and deep feelings unspoken because voicing them made them real. I use dance—and allow dance to use me—as a form of release, connection, and storytelling. My relationship with dance is rooted in exploring how to make inner emotions tangible. Through engaging with emotions—from feeling “stuck” to “elated”—I examine how these feelings manifest in the body and transform through movement. Through this process, I’ve had to confront what I felt. When I’ve moved through these emotions and made them real, I could finally see and feel them clearly. That’s when I was able to begin exploring and working toward healing. This process of navigating and reshaping emotions fosters both personal and communal growth, helping participants rediscover their bodies’ healing power. I seamlessly infuse yoga and mindfulness practices as reminders to breathe, release, and return to oneself or community. Whether finding joy in movement or investigating discomfort, I aim to create spaces that allow movement to be whatever each person needs it to be.
Which brings me to what I do, Candice Flows LLC, a creative consulting and performance-based company rooted in my values: joy, healing, affirmation, and expression. My company specializes in educating and enhancing the performance and skill training of movement-based artists, as well as individuals seeking to re-engage with movement. We achieve this through engaging workshops, building a community of passionate movers, offering performances, and collaborating with organizations as facilitators, artists, and consultants. Through tailored consulting services, we empower individuals and organizations to unlock their potential, embrace creativity, and cultivate a culture of well-being. By integrating healing practices and affirmation techniques, we create an environment where clients can thrive personally and professionally.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
That’s a good question for my family and community to answer, so I’ll ask them and include it at the end.
What I can remember and from stories told, I was into a lot of things, so this will be all over the place as I list what I recall. I loved double dutch and actually competed in local and world championships, performing at the Apollo as well. We were the “Jammin Jumpers.” I loved dancing, of course. I trained in piano for a brief moment. I was acting and spent a lot of time on movie and music video sets being an extra, stunt double, or playing roles. I was dedicated. I was president of the junior chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Inc. I was ACTIVE!! I was competitive. I won the Little Miss Brooklyn pageant held at the Brownsville Recreation Center. I was an emotional child and learned to be tough. I was and still am a student of comedy. I loved being with family. Making up dances at the family cookouts/block parties and spending the night at my god-sister’s and all my cousins’ houses was my jam. Especially at my aunty Abby’s house. I want to take a moment to honor her and lift her name as she passed away January 2025. Aunty Cecily Avril (Abby) Williams-Grant. Her presence, love, Facebook posts/comments, and volume is missed.
Here’s what they said via Facebook and anonymous google form.
“Funny,” Active, “Candice was a ball of energy growing up,” “she is very caring, she is also stern and straight forward when need be. She also separates work from play. She wants to get the work done and give it her all, then play later.”
From Ms. Shawné Lee (maybe connected around 1998*)- “Candice was such a friendly warm child with a lively personality and a smile as big as the sun. She was/is a hard worker that never slacked, and a born leader. Candice respects knowledge, and was a sensitive and caring child. She was extremely creative and would catch choreo just as easy as breathing! I love her generosity toward her peers but don’t that fool you. She never tolerated disrespect or bullies!”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sqr.co/CandiceFlows/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candiceflows/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@candiceflows
- Other: https://sqr.co/BookCandiceFlows/
