Julie B. Johnson

Julie B. Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dance Performance and Choreography at Spelman College since 2016. She combines dance scholarship with social justice activism through her creative practice Moving Our Stories (established 2015) and editorial work at The Dancer-Citizen journal.

• Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University (Ph.D. in Dance Studies)
• Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy (M.S.)
• Marymount Manhattan College (B.A.)

Her research explores:

• Intersection of creative practice and community engagement
• Embodied memory mapping of Black women's histories
• Site-responsive dance performance
• African Diaspora movement practices
• Abolitionist feminism through participatory dance
• Historical analysis of dance spaces

Julie's publications and creative projects (2019-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on dance as a tool for social change, community empowerment, and documenting marginalized histories through movement practices.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Dance/USA Artist Fellowship (2022-23)
• Partners for Change Artist (2020-23)
• Social justice research grants
• Multiple artistic residencies and awards

She mentors through community dance initiatives and directs the Moving Our Stories collective focused on historical preservation and collective liberation.