Today we’d like to introduce you to Aseelah Shareef.
Hi Aseelah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my career as a professional dancer in Cleveland in 2002, receiving my first contact with then, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre, under Michael Medcalf. My interest in the management and sustainability of nonprofits stemmed from my election to the board of directors as the dancer liaison. In that role, I started to learn some of the ins, outs, and challenges of operating a dance company. This is also where I met Tony Sias, a relationship that would be very important on my career trajectory. My interest was piqued, and I decided to return to graduate school to study Arts Administration and nonprofit management. I knew arts and culture was where I wanted to be in my life’s work, so I jumped in with both feet. I grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida, and attended Florida State University, so I returned to my alma mater that happens to have a top-ranked graduate program in Arts Admin. Of course, I stayed connected to my Cleveland folks as well as Michael and the company. Upon completing my master’s degree, I had a conversation with Michael as he had just received capacity support from a local foundation to bring on new staff, an Operations Manager. He asked if I was interested and of course, I was. I made preparations to once again leave my home state of Florida to return to Cleveland. Rather than being featured on stage, this time my impact would be demonstrated through daily management and supporting the strategic growth of the dance company. Within a year I was promoted to Executive Director and helmed the company for 1.5 seasons. What I came to realize at that time was that I was not done dancing. I still had performing years in me and a need to move, create and be onstage.
In 2007, I left Cleveland for Washington, DC, and became a company member of Step Afrika! Step Afrika! is the first professional dance company in the world dedicated to the art of stepping and body percussion. I toured extensively (domestic and international) for 7 years with the company, Washington DC’s only cultural ambassador. This experience changed my life. I never knew how my dance journey would come together because I never wanted to live in New York and barely survive. But it came together in the way that God had for me and has been a blessing and transformative path.
I fully came off the road in 2014 after remaining a tour swing, taking only some trips throughout the year. I was reestablishing my life in Cleveland and that required attention and focus. I spent time as a master teaching artist in dance for what is now the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning. I worked as an adjunct dance professor at Cuyahoga Community College, managed programming for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Department of Arts Education under Tony Sias, and served as the Dance Director for Cleveland School of the Arts. I also continued to choreograph and present dance works as well as perform with Cleveland-based dance companies.
I frequently say that I am a professional dancer moonlighting as an arts administrator. My current role is Vice President + Chief Operating Officer at Karamu House, the nation’s oldest Black producing theatre. My work involves the curation of programming and creating and implementing strategies for efficiency across our three product lines – theatre, arts education, and community programs. My work at Karamu has definitely been the most joyous and the most challenging to date. I’m finding more and more that renewal is important, so I’m back in a space where I’m creating time to be an artist. To get into my body and translate emotion into movement. Perhaps I’ll make it back to a stage sooner than later.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I won’t say the road has been completely smooth, but I will say that is has been beautifully orchestrated. I couldn’t have scripted this thing better with all of the lessons I’ve learned on the journey. There are periods of doubt and whether or not you’ve chosen the right path. There are times of underemployment and financial challenges. I’ve had to navigate being away from those closest to me since I didn’t have family here in my almost 20-year tenure in this city. Fortunately, I found my people and my chosen family found me also.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently work as the Vice President + Chief Operating Officer at the Karamu House, in Cleveland. My work involves the curation of programming and creating and implementing strategies for efficiency across our three product lines – theatre, arts education, and community programs. If I had to name a specialty, I’d say I’m an implementer. I gravitate towards structure and process, and I like to drive efforts towards that end. I have the ability to dig deep into details and move a vision forward. Even in my career, I’m most proud of my ability to meet folks where they are. I am one of those people who genuinely believes that people are inherently good, so I deal with people in that way and always work towards how we can win together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have faith that all things happen for a reason and that everything is on a divine schedule, so I won’t say that luck has played a role. I think I have been led to the people and spaces required for my learning and growth when I was ready to receive them, the lessons and experiences. I look at the trials and the triumphs as necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: karamuhouse.org
Image Credits
Trestle Board Company
Lewis Burrell
Stephen Midgett
