We invite you to support a truly remarkable artist, Alexandria "Brinae Ali" Bradley as she prepares for the premiere of her upcoming show, The Baby Laurence Legacy Project, a vibrant tribute to the legacy of iconic jazz tap dancer Donald “Baby Laurence” Jackson. Brinae Ali’s new work blends innovative choreography, musical compositions, and archival research with powerful storytelling.

To realize the full potential of this project, we have launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000, and we need your help to bring this extraordinary production to life!

Your contribution will directly support essential production costs, including costumes, set design, rehearsal space, and paying the incredible artists involved.

About the Baby Laurence Legacy Project:

The Baby Laurence Legacy Project is an immersive, interdisciplinary performance experience that celebrates the life and legacy of iconic jazz tap dancer Donald “Baby Laurence” Jackson. This multi-dimensional project translates intensive cultural and social research into original dance and music that both honors Baby Laurence's artistic genius and probes the social context that led to his alcoholism, chronic drug use, continual incarceration, poverty, and early death at age 53. As band leader, lead vocalist, and tap dancer, Brinae Ali will lead this excavation, in collaboration with a six-piece jazz ensemble; tap and contemporary dancers; actors; and a DJ.

Brinae narrates this telling of his story, using spoken word, contemporary and tap choreography, music and dance improvisation, and sound-scaping, through which responsive electronic tap floors and a loop machine are integrated to create entirely new and unique moments of artistry during every performance. The hope is that the audience emerges from the work with a deeper understanding of Baby Laurence and his legacy, as well as an increased curiosity about lives lost, stories left untold, and the importance of preserving Black culture and cultural history for future generations.

About Brinae Ali:

Alexandria “Brinae Ali” Bradley was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and is an interdisciplinary artist who believes in using the power of the arts to transform the conditions of the human spirit.

Brinae has served as the artistic director of Tapology, Inc. in Flint, MI, Fourth Wall Arts Salon, and Sound and Movement, LLC in Philadelphia. She has also partnered and served as a teaching artist with organizations such as Ping Chong and Company, NJPAC, Moving History in Baltimore, and the Apollo Theater Education Department. She has also received awards for Best Short Play at the Downtown Urban Theater Festival for her one-woman show “Steps” and the Vox Populi Independence Music Award for “Destination Forever: Vol.1 EP.” Her Broadway and off-Broadway experiences include Shuffle Along and STOMP.

Currently, Brinae is a lecturer at Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory, co-creator of a work in progress with trumpeter Sean Jones called “Dizzy Spellz”, a member of the Baltimore Jazz Collective, and cultural ambassador for diplomacy through the lens of Hip Hop culture as an artist in residence with Next Level-USA in partnership with the U.S. Department of State Education and Cultural Affairs, the University of North Carolina, and the Meridian International Center.

Donor Levels and Benefits:

As a token of our gratitude, all donors will receive special acknowledgments in our show program and exclusive behind-the-scenes updates from Brinae Ali. Larger donations will also qualify for additional perks, such as complimentary tickets to the premiere and invitations to special events.

Brinae Ali is fiscally sponsored by Eubie Blake Cultural Center, a 501c3 non-profit. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

$10,000

10 tickets with reserved VIP seating to the premiere of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Access to the invite-only pre-performance reception for all 10 guests.
Access to the post-performance reception of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Verbal recognition of your support during the premiere.
Photo opportunity with Brinae Ali and select artistic collaborators following the premiere.
Exclusive Baby Laurence Legacy Project swag signed by Brinae Ali for all 10 guests.
Access to an exclusive first look at the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Dance Place in Washington, DC in January 2025.
Special thank you video message from Brinae Ali.
2x dedicated social media post acknowledging your support.
Logo and listing on all print and digital materials, if applicable.

$5,000

8 tickets with premier reserved seating to the premiere of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Access to the invite-only pre-performance reception for all 8 guests.
Access to the post-performance reception of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Photo opportunity with Brinae Ali and select artistic collaborators following the premiere.
Exclusive Baby Laurence Legacy Project swag signed by Brinae Ali for all 8 guests.
Special thank you video message from Brinae Ali.
2x dedicated social media post acknowledging your support.
Logo and listing on all print and digital materials, if applicable.

$1,000

6 tickets with excellent reserved seating to the premiere of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Access to the invite-only pre-performance reception for all 6 guests.
Access to the post-performance reception of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Photo opportunity with Brinae Ali and select artistic collaborators following the premiere.
Exclusive Baby Laurence Legacy Project swag signed by Brinae Ali for all 6 guests.
1x dedicated social media post acknowledging your support.
Logo and listing on all print and digital materials, if applicable.

$500

4 tickets with reserved seating to the premiere of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Access to the post-performance reception of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Photo opportunity with Brinae Ali and select artistic collaborators following the premiere.
Exclusive Baby Laurence Legacy Project swag signed by Brinae Ali for all 4 guests.
Tag and shout out on Brinae Ali and Destination Forever’s social media accounts
Logo and listing on all print and digital materials, if applicable.

$250

2 tickets with reserved seating to the premiere of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Access to the post-performance reception of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Exclusive Baby Laurence Legacy Project swag signed by Brinae Ali for all 2 guests.
Tag and shout out on Brinae Ali and Destination Forever’s social media accounts
Listing on all print and digital materials, if applicable.

$100

2 tickets to the premiere of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Access to the post-performance reception of the Baby Laurence Legacy Project at Creative Alliance in February 2025.
Tag and shout out on Brinae Ali and Destination Forever’s social media accounts.
Donor listing on all print and digital materials.

$50

Tag and shout out on Brinae Ali and Destination Forever’s social media accounts.
Donor listing on all print and digital materials.

$25

Donor listing on all print and digital materials.

We believe in the power of the arts to inspire and connect communities, and with your support, "The Baby Laurence Legacy Project" can achieve new heights. Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference. Together, we can ensure that Brinae Ali's vision is brought to life for audiences to enjoy.

The Baby Laurence Legacy Project is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts, Chamber Music America, Johns Hopkins University, Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts, Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, Creative Alliance, Maryland State Arts Council, and the Baltimore Jazz Alliance.

Baby Laurence Legacy Project

By Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center

Baby Laurence Legacy Project