Steven Wilson

Founding Artistic Director

Steven Wilson was born January 17, 1984 to Byron Sylvester Wilson and Debra Faye Wilson, their first child. On August 25, 2023, Steven answered God’s call and danced his way home to be reunited with his brother Terell and all the angels in Heaven.

Steven devoted his life to movement: dancing and choreographing the pain, the pride, and the power into countless productions large and small. His commitment to pursuing social justice, as well as to teaching and empowering the next generation, began early in his life and never wavered. Steven created memorable, innovative, breathtaking events and productions that moved people to tears, laughter, and most importantly action. From El Amor Propio to OASIS, from Colors of Life to Black Leaves Dance Company, he always recognized the sacred opportunity he had to engage communities in pursuit of social justice.

Dancing professionally since the age of sixteen, Steven graduated from The Norwich Free Academy in 2002. While a student at NFA, Steven danced with the “Colors of Life” Dance Troupe, directed by Gwen Martins, and began his choreography career by choreographing for the NFA Step Team. He also founded his own dance program (El Amor Propio) for students in grades four through eight. He made his theatrical debut as The Wolf in NFA Playshop’s production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods.” Steven was actively involved in the NFA Band as well. Upon graduation he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship.

Throughout his life Steven wrestled with the experience of being a Black man in America. His interest in exploring these issues, as well as his desire to continue his dance studies, led him to attend the historically Black, all-male Morehouse College in Atlanta. He majored in Drama (with a concentration in Dance) and Business Administration (with a concentration in Marketing). His years at Morehouse helped prepare Steven for his professional career founding and directing dance companies.

A teacher of teachers, Steven served on the faculty of Dance Express LLC, DREAM Studios, and Writers Block Inc. He taught master dance classes for Connecticut College, UConn, Eastern Connecticut State University, Saint Joseph's College, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College. He served on the boards of The Dance Express Dance Company, Wanda Alston Foundation, and X Rae Dance Company. Also an accomplished and noted fashion show director, critic, and model coach, Steven produced and directed shows for his production company Ovah The Top Productions.

During his years living and working in Washington, DC, Steven fused the two crucial elements of his life: dance and social justice. While founding and directing the award-winning OASIS Dance Company (both in DC and in Connecticut), Steven served as Office Administrator for Global AIDS Alliance, Community Affairs Program Associate for the National Association of People with AIDS, and Research & Administrative Assistant for the Clinical Alliance for Research and Education – Infectious Diseases (CARE-ID). These and other activist causes were personal for Steven. He always infused his work with humanity and empathy. Steven and his company received numerous awards and recognitions such as NYC Pride Best Dance Performance 2016, Innerlight Ministries Community Award, Community Church of DC Award, and DC Black Pride Unsung Heroes Award.

After returning home to Norwich for long-term dialysis care, Steven began the process of fulfilling his life’s dream: founding a modern ballet company whose mission meant everything to him. Premiering at the 2022 Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington DC, Black Leaves Dance Company is an all-Black, all-male, queer-inclusive dance company specializing in modern ballet, highlighting the stories and perspectives of Black men in America. They explore themes related to identity and self-actualization: questions of masculinity, sexuality, religion, and race. Under Steven’s leadership, Black Leaves secured a major grant from the DC Commission on the Arts, a Resident Arts partnership with The Atlas Performing Arts Center, and headliner status for its second appearance at the Intersections Festival in 2023 where they presented their modern ballet “Sons of Douglass.” Steven led the Black Leaves team to create a space where Black male dancers can feel they belong, where they can pour their pain, their pride, and their power into unforgettable stories told through heart-breaking and joyful movement. His legacy lives on.