Lisa Vernon
Born in 1968 in Harvey, a suburb of Chicago, Lisa Vernon received her degree in social work from the U of I in 1999 where she also danced with the Omnimove Dancers. She became a social worker at Centennial High School in Champaign and created a dance program for low-income children through her Protégé Dance Conservatory, teaching jazz, hip-hop, African, ballet, modern, lyrical and praise/spiritual dance styles.
Lisa talks about the importance of movement as she was growing up and throughout her life. She gives first-hand accounts of the role of the African American Cultural Center, which served as a safe haven and a second home to her and other students. Hear how she integrated her dance passion into her professional life as a way to connect to people and as a tool for healing.
Lisa Vernon Oral Histories
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Cultural significance of spiritual dancing (0:57)
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Dancing with family (0:23)
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Movement connects people (0:15)
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What it was like on campus— dancing in relation to Nesbitt Center (5:23)
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Dancing when young as a way of expression (0:45)
Related Resources
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Blues Dancing and Its African American RootsTemporary Exhibit