How It All Started: The Story Behind Empower Her

It all started with a feeling — a feeling that we, Natalie and Latoya, couldn’t ignore. We’ve always loved helping dancers and uplifting our community. From coaching young women through their first auditions to leading healing conversations in rehearsal studios, we’ve dedicated years to this work. But as we looked around, we realised something important: we couldn’t educate and support all these women on our own.

We were hearing the same stories from women in our spaces — stories of self-doubt, survival, burnout, brilliance, motherhood, trauma, joy, and trying to be everything at once. We knew these women needed more than just dance training or performance opportunities — they needed space. Space to breathe. Space to speak. Space to be seen.

So in 2024, we created that space — and called it Empower Her.

What began as a small idea quickly turned into a powerful force. We launched a 14-week workshop series, bringing together 14 incredible women facilitators from all walks of life. Each session was intimate, open, and honest — no performances, no pressure, just truth.

These women came with purpose — bringing their lived experiences, expertise, and passion into each session:

• Natalie & Gigi opened the series with an honest, eye-opening session on Celebrations and Misconceptions of Women, exploring the ways society uplifts women while still holding onto harmful stereotypes.

• Gemma (pending confirmation) brought depth and perspective to Women’s History, shedding light on the women who paved the way and the legacy they left behind.

• Asabi led an inspiring workshop on Women in Power and Leadership, sharing insights into navigating leadership spaces as a woman and the importance of using your voice to influence change.

• Bami held space for vulnerable and empowering dialogue in her session on Body Image, Self-Confidence, and Hygiene, creating a judgment-free zone for self-love and personal care.

• Bami & Dear Girls returned for a double workshop focused on Women in the Workplace, blending career empowerment with mental health support to reflect the dual challenges women often face in professional environments.

• Latoya & Toffee delivered a deeply moving session on Motherhood, highlighting the beauty, complexity, and emotional labour of being a mother — and how it shapes identity.

• Pariss & Toffee explored the theme How Many Hats Do Women Have to Wear?, helping participants reflect on the many roles women play, often at the cost of their own well-being.

• Natalie Lawrence led an engaging and educational session titled Boobs: It’s All About the Right Support, covering the importance of bra fitting, breast health, and feeling physically supported every day.

• Amber Rae & Natalie created a powerful session on Confidence in Movement, encouraging women to reconnect with their bodies through dance, expression, and self-trust.

• Natalie Remee shared an empowering and culturally rich workshop on Different Hair vs. Identity, looking at how hair shapes how we see ourselves — and how the world sees us.

• Denise McLean brought creativity and confidence to the forefront in her Beauty: Hair & Makeup session, helping women explore beauty as an act of joy, identity, and expression.

• Yvonne, Rupinder, & Natalie Remee facilitated an essential workshop on Women’s Health, discussing physical, mental, and reproductive health with clarity, compassion, and expertise.

• Rani (pending confirmation) will lead the final themed session, Protect Yourself and Know Your Rights, empowering women to understand their legal rights and how to stay informed and safe in everyday life.
  

Week by week, these sessions did more than educate — they healed, ignited, and empowered. We watched women come in uncertain and leave more confident, connected, and bold.

And something incredible happened: all of these raw, unfiltered conversations started to take on a new form. They began to move — literally. As dancers and creatives, we saw the power in transforming these truths into art.

That’s how Set It Off: Empower Her was born — a dance theatre production inspired entirely by the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the women who sat in those circles with us. Every choreographic piece is built on a lived experience. Every movement, sound, and scene carries the energy of real women who dared to share.

We didn’t expect it to grow this fast. But Empower Her has become more than just a workshop series or a show. It’s a movement — and it’s just getting started.

We’re committed to continuing this legacy: ✔️ By creating safe spaces for women and young girls to learn and grow. ✔️ By using dance and the arts as a tool for healing, storytelling, and empowerment. ✔️ By ensuring that voices that have been overlooked are finally seen, heard, and celebrated.

From 14 facilitators to a full-scale production, this journey has reminded us what happens when women come together — not to compete, but to connect.

We can’t wait to take Empower Her even further. And we hope you’ll be on the journey with us.

With love and power,Natalie & Latoya