Politics. On Point.

First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a dance workshop Monday at the White House for 51 local Washington, D.C. students to commemorate Black History Month. The 2016 theme is “Honoring the Past While Celebrating the Present; 7 Years of Living African American History.” Students shake hands with the first lady before Q&A with workshop dance panelists. Photo/CD Brown The first lady often invites youth to the White House as an opportunity for them to hear from successful Americans in a learning and encouraging environment.  The celebration recognized the accomplishment of iconic women leaders in dance.  Students listened to remarks by the first lady and engaged in a Q&A with dance pioneers and icons  Judith Jamison  from the reknown Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; actress and choreographer  Debbie Allen ; the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Virginia Johnson and Hip-Hop choreographer  Fatima Robinson  before practicing routines to perform ...

POTUS Facebook post on the passing of Maurice White. "Michelle and I were saddened to hear of the passing of Maurice White. With his brothers and bandmates of Earth, Wind and Fire, Maurice fused jazz, soul, funk and R&B into a quintessentially American sound that captured millions of fans around the world.  Their playlist is timeless, the one that still brings us together at birthdays and barbecues, weddings and family reunions. Only Maurice could make such sophisticated songs so catchy. Only he could inspire generations of such diverse artists. And only he could get everyone – old and young, black and white – to let the groove move them on the dance floor. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maurice’s family, friends and bandmates.  He is the shining star in heaven   tonight ." Maurice White photo, courtesy of EarthWindandFire.com

**Update** View coverage of this event on our sister pages  here . _________________________ On September 7th, First Lady Michelle Obama will invite world renowned dance companies to perform at the Administration’s first event celebrating dance. The White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison will honor Jamison for her outstanding career as an American dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for the past 20 years. The event, featuring American dance from ballet, modern and contemporary dance, hip hop and Broadway will be held in the White House’s East Room. Alvin Ailey during his early years. The evening event will feature performers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Billy from Billy Elliot the Musical, The Washington Ballet, Super Cr3w, and New York City Ballet. It will be directed by Damian Woetzel, former principal dancer at the New York City Ballet and member of the...

Signs Proclamation "Music can tell a story, assuage our sorrows, provide blessing and redemption, and express a soul's sublime and powerful beauty. It inspires us daily, giving voice to the human spirit. For many, including the African-American community, music unites individuals through a shared heritage. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of African-American singers, composers, and musicians, as well as their indelible contributions to our Nation and our world. Throughout our history, African-American music has conveyed the hopes and hardships of a people who have struggled, persevered and overcome. Through centuries of injustice, music comforted slaves, fueled a cultural renaissance, and sustained a movement for equality. Today, from the shores of Africa and the islands of the Caribbean to the jazz clubs of New Orleans and the music halls of Detroit, African-American music reflects the rich sounds of many experiences,...