Vershawn Sanders-Ward is a visionary director, choreographer, educator and ARTIVIST who is transforming the landscape of contemporary dance through her art and activism. As the Founding Artistic Director and CEO of Red Clay Dance Company, she blends African diasporic dance forms with modern techniques, creating performances that inspire social change and provoke thought.

A lifelong advocate for community empowerment, Vershawn uses dance as a platform to explore themes of identity, race, and justice. She has earned numerous accolades, including the inaugural Walder Platform Award, Dance/USA Artist Fellowship, Chicago Dancemakers Forum Award, and a 3Arts award. Vershawn’s choreography has been featured at prestigious institutions like Northwestern University and Loyal University Chicago, with commissions extending across the U.S. and internationally.

An accomplished educator, she holds an MFA in Dance from NYU and currently serves on the faculty at Loyola University Chicago. Her influence extends beyond the stage, serving as a Board Trustee for Dance/USA. A Community Impact Fellow for the Harvard Business School Club and a featured guest on PBS’s The Expressway with Dule Hill, Vershawn’s commitment to equity and inclusion in the arts is shaping the future of dance and culture globally.