Meet Hannah George-Wheeler | Artist Ambassador & Project Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah George-Wheeler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued a career as a dancer and cultural ambassador for many reasons. One, it is innately human. Dance, music, art, and connecting to other humans are all naturally human activities. Participating in art and bonding with others nurtures who I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Dancing brings me joy. Cultural exchange opens my mind and empowers me, empowers me to continue to evolve, grow, and surpass my own limits. This is invaluable to me when I often feel surrounded by inhuman and inhumane forces, that disconnect us from who we are. These forces include participating in a commercial culture, working for many hours without a break for years in a row, or being caught up in a system that survives on keeping some people in power while keeping others down.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have maintained parallel tracks with artistic and non-artistic careers. This goes back to my upbringing as a gymnast: I worked hard at school and I trained hard as a gymnast. For the most part, neither school nor gymnastics gave way to the other. This continued throughout college at George Washington University when I joined a competitive dance club, Capital Funk, and into my years as a working professional when I joined the urban dance company and nonprofit, Urban Artistry, Inc (UA).

UA is unlike other dance companies, which is why I’ve stayed. UA is wholeheartedly dedicated to their mission: the performance and preservation of urban dance culture & community. UA trains its students and mentees to honor their own past, present, and future, and to serve as cultural ambassadors for those that are often unsung. And UA does not just use buzz words, we base our entire programming around this mission, teaching, practicing, honoring, and ethically documenting urban dance culture & communities. We have provided consistent affordable and free quality programming since 2005. Check out our projects at www.urbanartistry.org and on social media. I am so proud to be a part of this organization because of what we stand for, as well as who we stand with. We are a diverse group of artists and professionals who consistently show up for this mission, each other, and our community.

Currently, I serve on UA’s Board of Directors, as well as assist with many different efforts required for running a nonprofit, including grant writing, accounting, planning and implementing in-person and online programming. As a dancer, I also teach, compete, and perform. Outside of Urban Artistry, Inc, I work for a government consulting firm as a project manager. I recently certified as Project Management Professional (PMP) and plan to continue applying project management practices in many aspects of my professional and personal endeavors.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I am in Washington, DC, we would definitely tour the monuments and walk the National Mall. We might check out one of the many Smithsonian Museums while we are down there. My favorite hangout used to be Eighteenth Street Lounge (ESL) on 18th St, NW, so we would definitely walk past so that I could point out my old stomping ground. ESL closed during the pandemic, but is reopening soon! For a delicious snack, we would stop by Julia’s Empanadas, and you would have to get at least one spinach. For a GREAT meal, we would go Bresca. Everything is made with such care, and everything is delicious. We would also stop by an Ethiopian Restaurant, since DC is known for great Ethiopian. I would recommend Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant. I would bring you to the Urban Artistry Dance Academy to take some dance classes or jam out. We would also go by my sister and brother-in-law’s house to say hi and hang out at the park near their house. We would drive by the famous DC Metro PCS store where Go Go music is always blasting. Yes, we would also go to U Street to Ben’s Chili Bowl, since it is a famous DC restaurant. One of my new favorite spots is Metrobar, an outdoor bar with movie nights, game nights, GREAT DJs and space to dance. One of the most beautiful parks in the city is Malcolm X Park. I highly recommend checking out the 930 Club, Wolftrap, the Kennedy Center, and other local music venues for upcoming shows.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
YES! This gets me hype. I want to shout out my family. There ain’t no family like the one I got. They have been and are my heart, my support, the people I want to hang out with every day, my everything. When I am with you, family, I am home.

Leila & Erik, thank you for your overflowing generosity. Leila, thank you for including me and introducing me to so many things I am passionate about today. John & Kate, I want to hang with you all day. Mom & Dad, thank you for showing me what unconditional love is and dedicating yourselves completely to this family. My cousins and close friends, you are my extended siblings.

Urban Artistry, Inc and Assassins Crew, you have helped me grow up and educate myself on what it means to be an artist, an American, and a practicing tradition bearer of an international culture. You have pushed me, encouraged me, and acknowledged me for the artist and person that I have become. I feel a strength with you that is unparalleled. Junious Brickhouse, thank you for offering your mentorship and friendship to me many years ago, and continuing that journey with me until today. Your investment in me, generosity, patience, and drive has helped elevate me, and many others. Thank you for believing in me and honoring me for who I am. Russell Campbell, you are integral to my journey in Breakin’, but it doesn’t stop there. Thank you for sharing your journey and friendship with me, and teaching me so much. Leslie Liao the Powerful, I couldn’t be more happy to have a friend and partner like you. I love our honesty and our work. Ryan Webb, thank you for leading with integrity, drive, consistency, and love. You know we put in the work, fam. Sheesh, there ain’t no family like the one I got.

Steve, my very significant other, we have grown so much. From 18 years old to 36, we have challenged, loved, and respected each other. Thank you for coming closer every time things get tough. Thank you for your light, your laugh, your patience and openness. It comes from a deep love you have for life. It is contagious in the best way. I love you.

Website: www.urbanartistry.org

Instagram: hawnnahgw

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-george-wheeler-72826821/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanartistrydc/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/urban-artistry-silver-spring-4?osq=urban+artistry

Youtube: youtube.com/urbanartistry