The Brown Ballerina Dream

This summer, I have an amazing opportunity to embark on the next leg of my career as a Black Ballerina in film, all the way in the Big Apple!

Please help me travel to and live in NYC for 8 weeks.

Hello! My name is Jaymee Boyd, and I am a Black Ballerina who wants to REPRESENT on stage and on screen.

As a Los Angeles native, I grew up exploring the worlds of acting, singing, and almost every style of dance I had access to, before setting my sights on conquering the challenges of classical ballet. Dancers experience a lot of 'no's' and rejection before finding their place. For me, having a brown person's body was the first strike. The second, not having the financial background to ensure any success in the arts. It's like being invited to take a seat at the table but not being able to afford to get through the door, sometimes you can't even get to the door itself. As a black person in America, you learn to work 10x harder than whoever is around you. I carried this into my dance training so that I could, and did, stop hearing those 'no's'. Once accepted into these spaces, the next step is payment. The firewall that burns out most young black dancers, like me. I am 22 years old; I have been dancing since I was 2, either by being taught by my mother, on a work-study discount, scholarships and financial aid, and sometimes even loans. Because of the hard work and the kindness of others, I made it through that door and I'm coming for that seat. Now a professional, I aim to use my vast knowledge of different techniques to create art reflecting my own personal history and art reflecting the future I want to have for myself and all the other black ballerinas there are and will be.

This summer, I have an amazing opportunity to embark on the next leg of my career as a Black Ballerina in film!

Black girl representation matters so much to me, the little black ballerinas I teach, and the ones who will watch and realize their dreams!

Please help me travel to and live in NYC for 8 weeks.

Thank you, I appreciate any and all help!

Here's what I am raising money for:

Housing

Travel

Supplies: pointe shoes, tights, leotards