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McKindria Letsinger interview, 2022-08-21

 Item
Identifier: dcpl_dcohc046_02.mp4

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

D.C. Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) is a citywide initiative to train community members in oral history skills, fund new and ongoing oral history projects, connect volunteers with oral history projects, and publicize existing oral history collections. DCOHC is a project of DC Public Library, HumanitiesDC, and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. This collection contains oral history interviews, transcripts, and indexes produced by DCOHC grantees.

Dates

  • Creation: 2022-08-21

Biographical / Historical

Southwest Washington, D.C. resident McKindria Letsinger enjoyed watching her parents Marsha and McKinley Letsinger along with older family members partake in D.C. Hand Dance at indoor and outdoor events. In 2000, after viewing youth dancers participate in the Teenarama Dance Party Reenactment Documentary exhibition at The Arts and Industries Museum in Washington, Letsinger set a goal of becoming a D.C. Hand Dancer. She quickly enrolled in Saturday classes at the Solar Eclipse Nightclub under the instruction of the late Lawrence 'Brad' Bradford of the Smooth N' EZ Hand Dance Institute. For over 20 years, Letsinger has honed her hand dancing skills. During her 15 years as member of the Youth Chapter of the National Hand Dance Association, she earned numerous awards and recognitions for her outstanding performances and efforts. In 2009, Letsinger along with Markus Smith, hosted 'DC Dancin' Teens' TV Show, on the DCTV cable network. A graduate of both the Virginia State University and the Southside College of Health Sciences, registered nurse Letsinger works in occupational health and critical care. She mentors young people in her community with her youth empowerment business, Design'd2Inspire, LLC. She also provides CPR/First Aid certification to the public under her healthcare business, Inspired Hands Health and Safety. As a former influential youth D.C. Hand Dancer, Letsinger plans to assist in carrying the torch of D.C. Hand Dance as it moves beyond its pioneers and into the lives and hearts of younger generations.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.13 Terabytes

Language of Materials

From the Series: English

Abstract

McKindria Letsinger is a former award-winning youth D.C. Hand Dancer. She participated in several dance competitions throughout the country. Letsinger shares her ideas for continuing D.C. Hand Dance and engaging a younger generation of hand dancers.

Repository Details

Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository

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