Photo Credit: Raven Schley
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ATLANTA — A native of Chocó — a predominantly Afro-Colombian region in western Colombia — Angie Melissa González Chaverra (M.A. ’25) has long viewed dance as more than performance. For her, it’s a means of expression, resistance and connection.
“Dance has been a means of survival for me,” González Chaverra said. “I come from a background where violence was a constant thing, so movement, music and dance became the way for me to express myself — especially as a Black woman in Colombia.”
González Chaverra began dancing at age 3 and eventually joined her community’s cultural troupe, Escuela de Danzas. Her talent and dedication led her to perform on national stages through programs supported by Colombia’s Ministry of Culture.
In 2022, she earned a Fulbright scholarship in the arts and moved to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in Africana Studies while continuing to use dance as a form of education and advocacy. Her academic work looks at how dance traditions from the African diaspora are used to push for social justice in Colombia, and how those efforts connect to Black resistance movements in Atlanta.
When it came time to choose a university, González Chaverra didn’t hesitate.
“I chose Georgia State because it was the best option for me,” she said. “Georgia State gave me a sense of belonging and a community. It was the first time in my academic life I had Black professors, and it meant everything to me.”
At GSU, González Chaverra found not just community, but a platform to share her culture, spark dialogue and build bridges through art. She regularly teaches Afro-Colombian dance classes at the Student Recreation Center, using movement to educate.
“Teaching has been one of the most impactful parts of my time at Georgia State,” González Chaverra said. “I’ve led classes and workshops here and across the U.S., including institutions like Howard University and Michigan State University. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we can still communicate through dance.”
Rooted in inclusivity, her workshops welcome everyone.
“You don’t have to be a dancer to be in my class,” she said. “You just have to bring positive energy and a willingness to learn.”
Beyond the classroom, González Chaverra sees herself as an advocate for Afro-Colombian culture, challenging invisibility and promoting a more accurate understanding of her community’s history and identity.
“I want people to know that there are Black people in Colombia, and that our culture is rich, diverse and vibrant,” she said.
After graduation, González Chaverra will return to Chocó to share what she’s learned and the skills she’s gained while living in the U.S.
Her goal is to inspire others in her hometown to pursue international opportunities — using dance as her tool for transformation.
“We’re doing incredible things,” she said. “Dance is not just entertainment. Dance is a universal language. Dance can communicate messages and can change lives. And if I could tell everybody just one thing for the future: Just go ahead and dance.”
— By André Walker