Jamal Jackson ’96 is a Saint Ann’s alumnus, parent, and member of the Theater Department who has been teaching dance and choreography to students of all ages at Saint Ann’s since 2001. Jamal also serves as Artistic Director of Jamal Jackson Dance Company (JJDC), which he founded in 2004. JJDC’s work has been presented at venues throughout New York City and beyond; the Company’s choreography and storylines focus on redefining ideas of community and blurring divisive lines while still celebrating the beauty of individual cultures. Reflecting his desire to educate and pass on dance traditions to people of all ages, Jamal has also helped guide organizations like The 92nd Street Y to expand their outreach and youth programs. He currently serves on the Board of Performance Spaces for the 21st Century where he created programming for students from various backgrounds to learn a common dance vocabulary, enabling them to find similarities and differences within their larger community. Jamal holds a B.A. from Brown University and studied dance with Michelle Bach-Coulibaly, Seydou Coulibaly, and Fred Benjamin and worked under M’ba Coulibaly, Salimata Soumare from Kelete Dance Theatre, and Ba Issa Diallo, director of Troupe District du Bamako in Mali, West Africa.