CELEBRATING 42 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY
Our mission is to identify, nurture, and uplift raw artistic genius, emerging or established BIPOC artists in marginalized intersecting communities.
Our vision is a globally equitable appreciation, exposure to, and healing of BIPOC artists and art.
JON JOHNSON, FOUNDER
OUR STORY
In 1979, JJRArts evolved out of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA), an after-school summer program at the Historic Nick Stewart Ebony Showcase Theatre in South Central Los Angeles. Its there Jon meets 5 young uniquely gifted teenagers, none had ever danced professionally. Together with Jon’s vigorous discipline and their growing dedication to their craft, it was obvious their natural talent secured them a future in the dance.
The (CETA) program ended, but the performance fire was lit! The dance community interest along with Jon’s innovative Choreography, encouraged the dancers continued honing of their craft. In 1984 (JJRArts) was booked on the first international tour to Greece, Tokyo, and Bulgaria.
42 years later we are still serving the Black community of South Los Angeles. (JJRArts) has evolved for a touring Dance Co. into a multidisciplinary Arts Organization serving artists needs as well as entertaining the public.
Jon became the Artistic Director of JJRArts through a “Summer Program” that inspired the lives of these 5 artists that changed the world. Our original dancers, Verenda White, Shaun Earl, Carla Harrison, Zan Zetina, and in Loving memory of Sharon Anthony. Thank you for your dedication, commitment, and sacrifice. We Love Yall!
Jon Johnson was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1950. He was an only child, born to Ms.Beatrice Johnson, who did not want children. In 1949, she was misdiagnosed with a tumor, discovering 6 months later she was pregnant, and couldn’t have an abortion. Jon wasn’t well received at birth and suffered from lack of love and touch. Having had a bad start he blamed himself and spent years trying to heal the scars of being emotional abandoned. His Therapy was dance, and Choreographing work that made him feel loved. Because he didn’t get love, didn’t’mean he couldn’t create or generate it! Jon couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t think about Dance. He lived in his imagination, and with his love for movement, lines, and figures excelled as a choreographer. Combining Street Dance with traditional ballet movements in the 80’s was not yet popular in the dance world.