Girls Opportunity Alliance helps girls in Chicago gain greater access to the arts

Praize Productions, Inc. (Opens in a new tab)understands the transformative power of the arts to uplift and inspire girls.

The organization provides arts education and opportunities through a holistic approach that allows participants to excel in the arts and in their everyday lives. Programs focus on developing the “full artist,” seeking to make a positive impact on individuals’ lives while also strengthening underserved communities.  

Recognizing that art is a form of self-expression that fosters creativity, community, and cultural understanding, Praize Productions works to provide greater access to the arts for youth on Chicago’s South Side. The organization’s programs include a performing arts academy, a professional dance company, a pre-professional youth ensemble, and outreach.

The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund supported the recent production of “Black Love Reigns Supreme,” which premiered at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. The performance featured dance, spoken word poetry, music, and visual arts, showcasing the story of Black love through the lens of community and culture. Praize Productions recruited 40 young Black girls between the ages of 6 and 17 to participate in the production. Dancers from Praize Productions’ performing arts academy and professional dance company mentored these young girls as they embarked on a rewarding artistic journey. 

Through this project, Praize Productions shared the world of professional performing arts with this cohort of young dancers, inspiring them to be confident and comfortable while also experiencing the rigor and expectations of performing professionally. As a long-term vision, Praize Production hopes to increase Black representation in professional arts because Black artists deserve the opportunity to share their stories. 

Learn more about Praize Productions, Inc (Opens in a new tab).