Our Trustee is learning hip hop to raise money for our new home
25 November 2021
Trustee Graham Ambrose with former Red Bull Freestyle Dance Champion Kofi Mingo
Graham Ambrose, one of our dedicated trustees, is helping East London Dance raise money to complete the fit out of our brand-new state-of-the-art-home, The Talent House.
Graham, a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, who has previously raised money for East London Dance by running a sponsored 10k race, is taking things to the next level by challenging himself to learn and perform a piece of hip hop dance choreography. Did we mention he has never danced before in his life!
Throughout the challenge Graham is being taught by former Red Bull National Freestyle Dance Champion and east London resident Kofi Mingo, who is taking him through his paces and creating a dance piece that connects Graham to his experience of the music.
You can donate to Graham’s campaign via Just Giving here.
All the money Graham raises will go to funding the last 5% of the £2 million needed to fit out our brand new home, designed to enable young people experiencing disadvantage to realise their full potential. This will help us open our doors with the best possible facilities to inspire and support the dance and music creatives of east London.
For over three decades East London Dance has been dedicated to championing and serving the independent dance artists and communities of east London. This pioneering building allows us to go that extra mile; to provide under-served local communities with access to the benefits of dance; and allow under-supported dance creatives to connect with each other, be inspired, access the creative industries and find new audiences. Find out more about The Talent House here.
“People who have been mentored by East London Dance can achieve great things and I think that is a big inspiration to other people who are introduced to ELD by their community outreach workers.
Over the time I have been an East London Dance board member I have seen how the organisation has affected the lives of young people in east London. This fundraising is for the cultural hub we are creating, we just need that final 5% of the money to make this work. This charity shows everyone can come together as one using music and dance and breaks down all cultural divides. This new building will provide the perfect environment to bring east London’s communities together.”
Graham Ambrose, Trustee, East London Dance
UPDATE April 2022
The Challenge was completed in early 2022 and we are excited to be able to share the final piece with you!
Graham put in many hours of work for your entertainment and to allow us to provide the best possible facilities for our community so please consider donating what you can. Any size donation makes the world of difference!
Graham has been on our board of trustees for 7 years offering long-term financial direction, and in his role as chair of the Fundraising Committee, he has led by example by connecting our charity to the corporate sector. Graham also stays close to the grass roots work of East London Dance and is currently a business mentor to Joseph Toonga, one of the UK’s most exciting choreographers who started his career at East London Youth Dance Company.
