We recently connected with Latrice Postell and have shared our conversation below.
Latrice , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.
And1 Science Performance Arts Center, unique programming service at-risk children, developing performing arts and technology skills in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, CA. Our organization is broken into three divisions, Performance Arts, Technology and Hybrid Division that services our vision. Each division host specified programs to service our students needs. With completing our programs students will gain creditable certifications, internships, professional experience and or job opportunities upon graduation from high school.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Latrice a native of Washington DC, started And1 Science Performance Arts Center in 2018 in Los Angeles California. Being a dance professional and studying at the illustrious Delaware State University receiving a B.S Management Information System she believe that both professions are more common than not. Thus And1 SPAC was born. Latrice dance education began at the tender age of four with Northeast Performing Arts Outreach Youth Center under the direction of the late Rita Jackson. Latrice study theater with a heavy focus in dance. She studied lyrical, jazz, west african and hip hop dance. When she transition into college she continue to dance as she pursued business with a heavy concentration in technology. She discovered, because of her humble background she wanted to open a business that work with at risk youth.
With the birth of STEAM education, she was able to understand her mission vision, purpose of her business. And1 Science Performance Arts was developed an interdisciplinary nonprofit organization that provide educational resources to youth and young adults. And1 SPAC mission is to give at risk youth a pathway into their careers by equipping them with the knowledge in STEAM education. Performance arts heavily rely on technology in the millennium through led screens, social media, and lighting. And1 SPAC provides camps, outreach programs, centered around art and understanding the science behind it. Our focus as well is working with students whom need additional support in science and math through interactive projects and dynamic curriculums created. Our goal for each child who enters into our programming, can walk away with a portfolio that prepares them for their future. Their future in science, technology, engineering, arts and math education.
Our programming has been place in three schools so far and continuing strong as well as we completed our first summer camp in 2023 servicing over 65 students.
Latrice started her dance education at the tender age of four with
Northeast Performing Arts Outreach Youth Center under the
direction of the late Rita Jackson. Latrice study theater, with a
heavy focus in dance. She studied ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, West
African and Hip Hop. She was one of seven kids that was selected
to travel representing North East Performing Arts up and down the
east coast (Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, New York, Florida).
With this group she competed national competitions, hundreds of
community outreach events, colleges, political events, and dance
with numerous local celebrities.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson that I have unlearned was that places of study and or careers are not a monolith and everything to work together for the over all good. Though I am professional dancer, I had a clear interest and gift in business and technology. My thoughts of bringing those worlds together was a visionary and prolific statement before their was term created for it. I knew inside after studying science and technology that it was a different art form based on math. Stem and art both innovative, creative, and ground breaking whether it is a building a website or making a stage play.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I love the word pivot being a professional dancer. To be able to change directions is a part of life. Many times I have pivoted studying business, working in the tech industry, switching to a full time artist. Now I am in the greatest pivot of my life, studying now for Security+ certification. Adding technology certifications to my resume allows me to add it to my programming as well. Being a business owner, you find a series of pivots from finding funding, reaching your core audience and reevaluating the effectiveness of your work. I embrace pivot, because it help reestablish footing and roundedness when trying to find stability.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.and1space.org
- Instagram: and1_spac
- Facebook: And1 Science Performance Arts Center
- Twitter: and1_spac
Image Credits
Dan Rhone