We recently connected with Dominique Atwood-Hamilton and have shared our conversation below.
Dominique, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I hope to leave a legacy of moving in purpose, serving in leadership and investing in mission aligned relationships.
I think people will say, “Dom had a beautiful spirit”
I hope to be remembered for my passion and commitment to the field of dance but more importantly HOW I uplifted and healed people through it.
Dominique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Dominique Atwood-Hamilton began her performing arts journey as a young dancer at Jeraldyne’s School of Dance in Dayton, OH. She spent her highschool years at the prestigious Stivers School for the Performing Arts under the direction of her mentor DeShonna Pepper Robertson. Following highschool, she was accepted into Howard University’s Dance Major Program. While at Howard, she co-founded I.Am.We, the first contemporary dance company on campus and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A in Political Science/Pre-law.
Since then, she’s been privileged to perform and tour internationally with a number of companies and artists on some of the biggest and most recognized stages in the industry. She’s had roles in short films, commercials and music videos and also been featured in several publications. The majority of her performance career was spent as a principal dancer with the world renowned Deeply Rooted Dance Theater.
Ms. Hamilton has choreographed for the Miss Intercontinental pageant, Universoul Circus, The Youth America Grand Prix (1st place winner), Georgetown University, University of Chicago, Loyola University, Outcry The Play and several other productions. In 2016 she was invited to participate as one of the region’s leading dance leaders by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her Celebration of Black Women in Dance. In 2017 she was commissioned by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to curate an evening length show for the DanceAcositia! Festival. In 2018 she was nominated for the Princess Grace Award. Most recently she was nominated to sit on the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events SummerDance Celebration Advisory Committee.
Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of Dance Connect Worldwide, a production house and staffing agency for the dance community. In addition she consults with artists and art organizations on fundraising, marketing and strategic planning. Dominique gives God all the praise for allowing her to share her gifts and talents through dance. Her greatest motivation is her husband, Elijah Hamilton and daughter, Genesis Hamilton.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In the year 2022, I embarked on a journey that would forever transform my life. It was a season of immense change, growth, and challenges that pushed me to my limits. That year, I mustered up the courage to launch my own business called Dance Connect Worldwide. This endeavor was unlike any I had pursued before because this time, I ventured out on my own, without a partner, financial backing, or a predefined blueprint for the business I envisioned.
As fate would have it, God had more in store for me. In the midst of starting my business, my partner in life, Elijah Hamilton, proposed to me. Overjoyed, we embraced the commitment of marriage. But that was not all. By the end of the year, we were blessed with the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Genesis Hamilton. Alongside these life-changing events, we made a bold decision to uproot ourselves from the bustling city of Chicago and settle in the peaceful but unfamiliar countryside of southern Illinois.
Suddenly, I found myself navigating a new role as a business owner, a wife, and a mother, all in an unfamiliar environment. Yet, I drew from my dancer resilience and ability to adapt and transform. I tapped into the depths of my creative well, finding strength, courage, and discernment to face the challenges that lay ahead. It required me to shift my perspective and embrace a constant state of gratitude and imagination.
Rather than subscribing to the narrative that a professional artist turned family woman must sacrifice her career, I chose to challenge that notion. I trusted in God’s plan for my new journey, one filled with boundless opportunities for rebirth, renewal, and reimagination. I dared to redefine my life as a black family woman and entrepreneur, believing that I could not only have my cake but customize it to serve the unique needs of my family.
Once I accepted this truth, I started moving boldly and unapologetically toward what I believed was my calling. But this shift didn’t happen overnight; it began within my spirit, then permeated my mind, and finally transformed the way I walked through life.
First, I mustered the courage to have a heartfelt conversation with my husband and family, seeking their blessing and support. Additionally, I sought the guidance of a phenomenal business coach who helped me unlock my full potential. I held myself accountable to the dreams I had written down, creating and following a system for personal and professional development. Through discipline, I increased my capacity both at home and in scaling my businesses.
Today, I stand with immense pride, knowing that I made the right decision to bet on myself. I may not have all the answers or claim to have everything figured out, but I am certain that what I bring to the table is unique and irreplaceable. In just six short months, my business has tripled in size, and I can see even greater growth on the horizon.
This story is a testament to the power of embracing change, stepping outside of our comfort zones, and having faith in ourselves. It teaches us that we can redefine our lives, challenge the narratives society imposes on us, and create a future filled with success and fulfillment. So, no matter what obstacles come your way, remember that within you lies the strength to pivot, reinvent, and ultimately achieve your dreams.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn a deeply ingrained belief that everyone I encountered was my friend, had my best interests at heart, and would be there for a lifetime. Growing up with a magnetic personality, I naturally attracted a multitude of people into my life. Some of them genuinely loved and supported me, while others were merely there to take advantage of what they could get.
Realizing this truth was a painful experience. As I matured in my career and stepped into womanhood, I grappled with the harsh reality that not everyone deserved my trust and loyalty. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I knew I had to navigate through it.
For a while, I buried my authentic self out of fear of being taken advantage of or misused for others’ purposes. I believed that by keeping myself hidden, I could protect myself from harm. However, I soon realized that this self-imposed isolation only suffocated me and pushed me further away from my purpose.
I had been blessed with a gift from God – the ability to connect with people in ways that others envied. I possessed a natural inclination and instinct to see, hear, and feel people, and I used my gifts to help them. However, my journey led me to work with many egotistical, self-promoting, and hurt people that in turn would hurt other people. I found myself in toxic environments where the philosophy was to beat others down to build them up.
Though I developed an appreciation for certain old-school teachings, I vehemently opposed practices that caused more damage than healing and uplifting. I had given so much of myself – my time, ideas, and money – to build other people’s dreams. It felt like a waste when they failed to appreciate me or I couldn’t partake in the fruits of my labor. But the truth was, none of it was in vain, and everything I learned was transferable.
Fast forward to today, and I am now the proud owner of my own business. I work with a variety of organizations and artistic leaders, sharing my experiences and implementing new cultures of working with people. I understand now that people come into our lives to teach us lessons, not necessarily to be our best friends. Even the toughest situations often provide us with the greatest skills, refine our character, and teach us new ways of thinking.
Therefore, I can honestly say that I am grateful for every relationship I’ve had, regardless of its duration. Each one served its purpose, whether as a lesson in discernment or a stepping stone toward personal and professional growth. Working in the performing arts and entertainment industry has taught me the importance of using discernment when building relationships. It’s not personal; it’s just business.
My story serves as a reminder to all those who have ever been let down or betrayed. It’s an invitation to let go of naivety and embrace discernment, while still cherishing the lessons learned from every encounter. Sometimes, the most challenging relationships shape us into the strongest versions of ourselves, enabling us to build a brighter future and foster healthier connections with those who truly align with our journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: Danceconnectworldwide.com
- Instagram: Business: @Danceconnectworldwide, personal: @queednommoves
- Facebook: Business: DanceConnect Worldwide, Personal: Dominique Atwood-Hamilton
- Linkedin: Dominique Atwood-Hamilton
- Youtube: Danceconnect Worldwide
Image Credits
Michelle Reid Seed Lynn Jordyn Bush