Meet Elijah Alhadji Gibson | Dance Educator, Storyteller, and Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elijah Alhadji Gibson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elijah Alhadji, why did you pursue a creative career?
I don’t feel like I chose an artistic or creative career. It feels like it chose me.

From as early as third grade, I always knew I wanted to pursue something in the medical field. However, every major step in my dance journey, from my first exposure to codified dance forms to studying dance in college, performing professionally, teaching in higher education, and even starting a professional dance company, happened through a series of unexpected turns.

My first dance class was purely by chance. While hanging out at a park district, I was roped into taking a class, and that moment sparked my interest. I continued taking classes off and on throughout high school, always viewing dance as a hobby rather than a career path. When I started college, I pursued my original plan, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. But everything changed when I discovered that I could earn a degree in dance. That realization set me on a new path, one that felt both unexpected and inevitable.

The more I immersed myself in dance, the more I realized that it gave me a deep sense of purpose, connection, and the ability to communicate in ways words never could. Dance challenged me physically and mentally, but it also gave me freedom, expression, and a sense of belonging that I had never experienced elsewhere.
Looking back, each step along the way seemed to confirm that dance was where I was meant to be. What started as a chance encounter became a lifelong passion, and ultimately, I chose this path because dance gave me something no other career could: the ability to move, inspire, and connect with others in ways that felt truly meaningful.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a dance educator, choreographer, and activist, dedicated to blending tradition with adaptability, artistry with impact, and movement with meaning. As an educator, I integrate classical class structures with a flexible approach that meets the needs of diverse populations and experience levels. As a choreographer, I strive to create work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. My activism is woven into my artistic practice, using dance and storytelling to promote social consciousness and illuminate the breadth and depth of the human experience.

As I enter Season 7 of Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater, I am energized by the company’s evolution. Over the past year, we have restructured and rebranded, setting the stage for a season defined by growth, fresh creative direction, and a renewed commitment to powerful storytelling through movement. I look forward to sharing this new chapter with our audiences.

My journey in dance began in San Diego, California, where I was first introduced to movement through tap at the San Diego Civic Dance Association. This early foundation led me to the San Diego School for the Performing Arts, where my passion deepened. I later pursued my academic training, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a focus on dance history, somatic studies, and pedagogy.

My career has taken me across the country and beyond, first as a professional dancer performing nationally and internationally, and later as an educator in higher education. I have taught at Shenandoah Conservatory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston. Currently, I serve as the Associate Program Director of the Texas A&M Dance Science Program while leading Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater, which I founded in 2019 in Houston, Texas.

One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced has been sustaining a dance company, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater was founded just a year before COVID-19 reshaped the world, forcing us to adapt quickly, lean on teamwork, and trust in the creative process. Though we have made it through the immediate crisis, the work of sustaining and growing the company remains an ongoing effort—one that demands resilience, innovation, and an unwavering belief in our mission.

Yet, through every obstacle, my passion for storytelling through movement continues to drive me forward. Dance is not just an art form—it is a language, a bridge between people, and a force for transformation. My story is one of perseverance, passion, and a relentless commitment to using movement as a catalyst for change.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, this is a hard one! Honestly, I’m a homebody when I get to be home, so creating a week-long trip would be a stretch. But if I had to plan the perfect weekend that highlights some of Houston’s cultural landmarks and must-visit spots, here’s what it would look like.

I would suggest staying at La Maison in Midtown, a boutique bed and breakfast with a great atmosphere. We’d head straight to Project Row Houses in the Third Ward, an incredible community-driven art space showcasing Black artists and social activism. It’s a great way to start the trip on an inspiring note.

For dinner, we’d go to Kulture, which serves Afro-Caribbean and Southern-inspired cuisine, then, we’d catch a show or live music in Houston’s Theater District, which is the second largest in the country after Broadway. To end the night, we’d go to The Flat, a hidden gem with an eclectic, chill vibe.

Saturday would start with a bike ride or walk at Emancipation Park, which has such a rich history, being founded by formerly enslaved people. After that, we’d grab breakfast at The Breakfast Klub, where the wings & waffles are legendary.

In the afternoon, we’d visit the Houston Museum of African American Culture to explore the city’s Black history and contemporary art. For lunch, we’d hit up either Soul Food Vegan or Mo’ Better Brews, both of which serve amazing plant-based soul food.

For the evening, we’d head to Five Central, a stylish Black-owned lounge with multiple entertainment spaces. If we’re still up for more, we’d make a late-night stop at Turkey Leg Hut, because no trip to Houston is complete without trying their famous stuffed turkey legs.

Sunday would start with brunch at Lucille’s, which serves Southern classics with a modern twist. After that, we’d visit The Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel—both free and reflective spaces that offer a nice, peaceful way to close out the trip.

Before my friend heads out, we’d take a stroll through Buffalo Bayou Park and then grab a coffee at Day 6 Coffee Co., a café with a great ambiance.

That’s pretty much my ideal weekend itinerary—good food, great vibes, and a celebration of Houston’s Black culture and history.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In all sincerity, I want to acknowledge every person I’ve encountered along the way. While there are specific individuals, travels, and performances that have profoundly shaped my journey, I truly believe I am the sum of all my experiences. Every interaction, challenge, and opportunity, big or small, has contributed to who I am today. No matter what path I might have taken, I believe I would have arrived at the same sense of purpose.

That said, if there is one person I owe everything to, it is my mom. Her unwavering support, love, and guidance have been the foundation of my journey. She has always believed in me even when I questioned myself, and her strength and encouragement have shaped not just my career but the person I have become. Every moment leading up to this point has played a role in shaping me, but it is her influence that has been the most profound. For that, I am deeply grateful.

Website: https://socialmovementdance.com

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Image Credits
Claudi Casbarian
Blake Daniels
Lynn Lane