
ABOUT JAMEL GAINES
CREATIVE OUTLET
Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet (JGCO) is a critically acclaimed non-profit dance theatre company dedicated to creating transformative choreography rooted in social justice and the Black cultural experience.

About Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet
Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet (JGCO) is a critically acclaimed non-profit dance theatre company dedicated to creating transformative choreography rooted in social justice and the Black cultural experience. For over three decades, JGCO has been a cornerstone of Downtown Brooklyn, showcasing diverse, exceptionally trained professional dancers and blending classical and modern techniques with a soulful, African-American spirit—all designed by founder Jamel Gaines.
Our multimedia performances weave together dance and theatrical storytelling, sparking cultural dialogue, challenging conventional perspectives, and leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. The company honors national celebrations such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Earth Day, Juneteenth, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day through evocative works that resonate with both local and global audiences.
While our roots are firmly planted in Brooklyn, JGCO’s reach spans far beyond. Our artists have performed domestically in New York, Miami, Washington, Oklahoma, and California, earning accolades for addressing social justice issues through dance. Internationally, we have showcased our unifying artistry in Cuba, Spain, Germany, London, and at prestigious events such as the Palm Springs Dance Festival and the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.
Beyond the stage, JGCO elevates the ethnic diversity of dance in American theatre through programs that include dance workshops, master classes, choreographic mentorship, and fitness and movement classes. While celebrating the cultural contributions of Black communities, our work also reflects the shared struggles and disparities across the human experience, reaffirming our commitment to fostering empathy, awareness, and unity through the power of art.
Leadership
Dancers

250th Commemoration Of The USA:
American Voices, African Souls
[Five Borough Tour]
For 2026, we are currently developing a multimedia dance theatre presentation entitled American Voices, African Souls, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States through the lens of the African-American experience. A reimagining of our signature piece, Remembering, the performance work will weave together African-rooted dance, hip-hop, contemporary, spoken word, live music, and archival materials to reflect pivotal moments in our nation's history—from the Transatlantic slave trade and emancipation to Jim Crow, the Civil Rights era, and today. We aim to create with this piece an atmosphere that all audience members, regardless of their background, can collectively share through the universal language of art and human emotions.
The production will be part of a Five-Borough Tour of NYC, which already includes engagements at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the St. George Theatre, with ongoing discussions at Lehman College and Queens College. Beyond New York, we are also planning a national and international tour of the piece, including a return to Africa next year with performances in Nigeria and Benin, and new invitations to Sierra Leone and South Africa.
As we move forward, we are fortunate to have the support of local leaders such as:
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Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Rep. for New York's 8th congressional district
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Congresswoman Yvette Clark, U.S. Rep. for New York's 9th congressional district
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Commissioner Laurie Cumbo of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
Upcoming Events/Performances
Calendar

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