Inspired by Prairie View A&M’s Classic Dance Ensemble, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and New York’s Alvin Ailey School—where he studied for two years—dancer, choreographer, and activist Harrison Guy eventually came back to Houston to start his own company dedicated to Black stories and experiences.
“I was a founding member of two dance companies in Houston—Dorrell Martin’s Dance Fusion and Kenneth Epting’s Exclamation Dance Company. Yet I still felt called to create something of my own,” Guy wrote recently on Facebook.
“Urban Souls was founded as a safe space for Black dancers and a platform dedicated to telling Black stories—especially those rooted in the local Houston community,” he shared. “It’s a place where our narratives are celebrated, and where dancers have the freedom to explore and express their unique identities.”
With Guy as Artistic Director and Walter J. Hull, II as Executive Director, Urban Souls has been working for two decades to bridge the gap between life and dance theater—with a mission to foster connection and build community through dance, education, and advocacy while working towards racial equity, healing, and justice.
The company’s 20th anniversary celebration culminates with The Black Agenda, a program featuring two world premieres on February 27 and 28 at The Hobby Center—with the opening night performance designated as Black Organization Night to honor historic, community, and Black Greek-letter organizations.
Guy will debut Eulogy for America’s Promise (2025), his new dance work that pays tribute to the pioneering Houston-born and Fifth Ward-raised Congresswoman Barbara Jordan.
According to a press release, the piece “will blend classical, modern, and African American dance styles to represent the complexity of Jordan’s legacy. The work will use movement to reflect key moments in Jordan’s life, including her iconic speech at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, her leadership during the Watergate hearings, and her tireless advocacy for civil rights.”
The program’s second premiere and title piece, The Black Agenda, by Walter J. Hull, II, “reflects the ongoing journey of the Black community—one marked by resilience, unity, and a continual drive for progress,” said Guy.
Intertwined with the voices and music of contemporary artists like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, the piece aims to use the lyrics and beats of the soundtrack to amplify the emotions and energy of the dancers’ movements.
“This work speaks to the collective power of Black people, grounded in the understanding that we are strongest when we unite, when we confront the challenges of today, and when we forge a future built on both vision and action,” Guy said of Hull’s piece. “Through movement, we assert the necessity of this journey, reminding ourselves that hope is only meaningful when it is paired with intentional, deliberate steps toward a better tomorrow.”
Completing the program will be Hull’s Sugar Shack (2024), inspired by the paintings of Ernie Barnes; Shadow Work (2023), an exploration of our hidden identities, by Urban Souls’ dancer and choreographer Aniya Wingate; and D.N.A. (2024), a tribute to Reverend Jack Yates and Houston’s first documented Juneteenth celebration, performed by guest artist YUNGCHRIS of SonKiss’d Dance Concepts.
Beyond his company’s 20th anniversary celebration, Guy has even bigger, long-term plans that are about to come into fruition.
“About 10 years ago, after the success of Urban Souls, I began to dream a bigger vision for Houston. I wanted to create a space that wasn’t just about dance, but about Blackness—where creativity could be celebrated as an integral part of our journey and the way we build community,” said Guy on Facebook. “This led to the creation of the Black Arts Movement Houston (BAM).”
With support from a 2019 Idea Fund grant and a 2025 Cultural Treasure Accelerator grant from the Houston BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF), Guy was able to develop his concept into a new umbrella organization that will serve as “a cultural catalyst and a sanctuary for Black artists in Houston,” according to the BANF website.
“We envision a future where BAM serves as the parent organization for Urban Souls and other key arts organizations and groups,” said Guy. “It will also serve as a catalyst for the development of a dynamic, state-of-the-art Black cultural center. This space will drive a comprehensive Black arts directory, highlighting all aspects of Black arts and culture in the city.”
In an email to Houston Arts Journal, Guy stated that BAM’s key initiatives for 2025 include:
- Conducting a Black Artists Survey and Census to collect valuable data and insights.
- Organizing Convenings for Black Artists to foster connection, collaboration, and growth.
- Finalizing the Advisory Group, selecting dedicated members to guide the movement.
- Completing a Strategic Plan to lay the foundation for future initiatives and impact.
- Hosting a Foundations Brunch to engage potential funders and build lasting support for the mission.
Black Arts Movement Houston, spearheaded by Guy and Urban Souls, is preparing for an official launch this April 2025.
Houston Arts Journal 