The decision comes after the dancers, who voted to unionize in May, were terminated earlier this year. The dance company cites a social media video as grounds for the terminations, while the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), representing the former dancers, alleges the firings were related to unionization efforts.
During the council meeting, former dancer Terrell Rogers Jr. testified about workplace conditions, citing concerns about wages, working conditions, and management style. He also described turnover among administrative staff and artistic directors.
The matter has drawn attention from labor oversight bodies, with both AGMA and the dance company filing unfair labor practice charges. The City Attorney’s Office’s Inspector General Division has compiled a 348-page report documenting the situation.
Council members expressed varying perspectives during the discussion. Council Member Adam Bazaldua emphasized accountability for organizations receiving city funding, saying
“This would be absolutely irresponsible for us to give tax dollars to an organization that could potentially be carrying themselves in a way that we do not believe to be a priority for our city.”
While Council Members Carolyn King Arnold and Zarin Gracey urged measured consideration of the situation citing the dance company’s community leadership and historic significance.
The evening prior to the meeting, the Dallas Black Dance Board submitted a letter to Dallas City Council asking that they “refrain from preemptive actions that could compromise the organization’s ability to serve the community.”
Council member Gay Donnell Willis called for the organization to review its practices and demonstrate commitment to addressing raised concerns saying “There’s nothing stopping your board of directors from doing a deep dive into our practices, wages and showing this council that we are taking this seriously.”
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre, founded in 1976 by Ann Williams as a pioneering institution for Black performers, factored into the council’s deliberations. Georgia Scaife, the company’s board president, stated during the meeting that the organization is prepared to engage in collective bargaining negotiations with AGMA.
The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will reconsider the funding allocation on Nov. 7, followed by further discussion at the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture committee on Dec. 3.
The matter will then return to the full council for a final decision.