Dancing with Unity: Transcending Racism Globally

By Jan Ford

This book has a companion workbook - look for Dancing with Unity Workbook

Dancing with Unity is based on true events. It is one woman's God-inspired quest to answer the questions: What can I do to make a difference in a world filled with racial hatred and violence? How can each of us, acting indi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dynamics In Dance LLC
• Release date: Dec 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9798985098914

Book preview

PRAISE

Jan Ford's Dancing with Unity is a unique personal memoir of fascinating experiences that touches all of us spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially. Jan has done a phenomenal job of expressing Unity through pictures, biblical scriptures and personal experiences with HIM. A good read that truly encourages those who aspire to fulfill their God-given dreams.

-- Minister Gloria Bradford, Author

I am very happy and grateful that Jan Ford has shared her experiences from her 10 years of teaching in collaboration with the Brighton Ballet Theater in her new book, Dancing with Unity. She ignites a fire of harmony and invites us to come together in harmony and collaborate. Jan's unifying spirit of inclusion continuously provided a warm flame for all of the Brighton Ballet teachers to gather around in conversation! She welcomed us and folded us into the dance community of the public schools arts education. Love and gratitude flows from my heart that Jan created unity amidst the great diversity of students and teachers. Now, she shares her philosophy of Unity with the entire world in this inspirational memoir.

Brava!

-- Irina Roizin, Executive Director Brighton Ballet Theater, School of Russian American Ballet

Amid our current painful national reckoning with the enduring legacies of systemic racism, Jan Ford mines her deep Christian faith and personal history to suggest that regardless of our background, we all can and must cultivate an enriching and rewarding diversity of friendships in our lives. Her passionate conviction is a moving statement of hope.

-- Joan Finkelstein, Executive Director, Harkness Foundation

What you see will determine how you think. How you think will determine what you say, and what you say will be created in your life. When Jan dances with Unity, she writes for all of us. Over and over again, she encourages us to see Unity in everyone and everything. As I read her words, I see love on every page. In remembering Unity moments, looking for Unity moments, and creating Unity moments, Jan Ford encourages each of us to truly meditate and celebrate those moments when true connections can be made with God and with people who look different than us. I agree with Jan, we are one people under God, and in pursuing Unity, we will truly be indivisible.

-- Pastor Dan Statton, Faith Exchange Fellowship

Dancing with Unity is an insightful, sensitive, and personal journey by Jan Ford. As a woman of faith, a dancer, and daughter of the Caribbean I found this book, its message, and Biblical references so relatable. It is a source and resource to return to again and again regarding contemporary constructs and history; and makes one consider where are the moments of Unity in our own lives.

-- Heather McCartne, Arts Administrator, The Joyce Theater

Dancing With Unity

Transcending Race Globally

Jan Ford

Copyright © 2021 Jan Ford.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

Cover design by Peter Selgin

Author contact: Jan-Ford.com

ISBN: 979-8-9850989-0-7 (hardcover)

ISBN: 979-8-9850989-2-1 (paperback)

ISBN: 979-8-9850989-1-4 (ebook)

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Born into the Message

2 Finding Unity Moments

3 The Benefits of Diversity

4 Identifying Unity Moments in your Life

5 Seeing Unity Moments in Others

6 Historic Unity Moments

7 The Unity Moments

8 Our Next Step

9 Spiritual Growth

10 How Prayer Leads to Success

11 Getting Started

12 Preparing for the future

13 Beginning the Process

Scriptures to help you on your Unity journey

Resources / Endnotes

Acknowledgements

Poem by Prince EA

For people around the world who have transcended race by their words, actions, and good deeds.

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I am especially grateful to my parents Lucille and Edward Ford, brother Edward, and sister Judy, who raised me in an integrated community. My sincere gratitude also goes to the Perth Amboy community of families that educated us in schools, churches, and social events, uniting us in loving our neighbors like ourselves.

Many thanks to my highly educated relatives like my Aunt Elsie and cousin Lisa Crooms-Robinson, involved in civil rights, the arts, and social justice. I also thank my cousin Joan Pennyfeather who told me to write a book as we swam the afternoon away at Rendezvous Bay Hotel on Anguilla, West Indies, owned by my cousins, the Gumbs. At that time, God had already given me instructions, so her suggestion was confirmation. Special thanks to my former husband, Michael Connolly, who helped me understand how to love beneath the skin.

To my dance community, I thank you for the diversity of talent that shaped me as a dancer, choreographer, and director. I am also thankful to Miss Ruth’s School of Dance, Lynn Simonson, Katiti King, the Delta team under the direction of Joan Finkelstein and Ana Fragoso, Jodi Gottfried Arnhold, the Founder of 92nd Street Y DEL, John-Mario Sevilla, the Joyce Theater Dance Education Department’s Director, Heather McCarthy, and City Center, under the direction of Arlene Shuler.

To Dominick D’Angelo, principal of David A. Boody, I am grateful for the resources, inspiration, and valuable advice to the dance students and me. Your leadership, along with the support of the assistant principals, deans, staff members, and teachers at IS 228, will always be cherished for years to come. Teaching in an international school provided me with families who showed their gratitude for assisting their children to reach creative expression in dance. It is a privilege and honor to pour out my knowledge to these students. The diversity created outstanding performances.

I would like to acknowledge my dear friends Patrick Dillon, Marie Falcone, Margot Faught, Amy Kail, Elaine Hirshfield, Jeff Hudak, Marge Jocus, Carolyn Lebel, Ruth Schwartz, Beth Sheinas, Arthur Sobel, and Frank Yodice, to name a few. You never allowed race to interfere in our relationship. I will always respect and cherish your generosity and kindness.

A special thank you to Dr. Kenneth Kalman for helping me keep my body aligned with chiropractic adjustments. Heartfelt thanks to Patricia Kalman and Deb Damone for helping me improve my health with essential oils, supplements, and lots of prayers.

Sincere thanks to the ministry