By Janice K. Neal-Vincent, Ph.D.
Contributing Writer
Mid-morning Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Jackson Fire Department, Jackson native Dianna “Miss D” Williams, owner of the Dollhouse Dance Factory and star of the Lifetime reality show “Bring It,” stood tall before the young participants in the Jackson Fire Department Kids Academy.
The City of Jackson welcomed the Jackson State graduate and former city employee with a proclamation from the office of Mayor Tony Yarber. It was read while eager children and supporting adults surrounded her.
Following the proclamation presentation, “Miss D” gave a brief history of the Dancing Dolls troupe that was founded in 2001. The troupe, she said, composed of children ages 10 – 17, owns 15 Grand Champion titles and more than 100 trophies.
Further, children under age 10 are featured as Baby Dancing Dolls. The troupe’s slogan is “Dancing Dolls for Life” (DD4L) and they compete in hip-hop majorette competitions.
Similar to fellow Lifetime show Dance Moms, ‘Bring It!’ is an American dance reality television series which debuted March 5, 2014, on Lifetime. Additional episode renewals occurred thereafter.
‘Bring It!’ features the moms of several of the dancers and their interactions (and occasional arguments) with Miss D. During rehearsals, parents are not permitted inside the studio. The children spend that time alone with Miss D, free of distractions.
Once the historical account was given, children had many questions during a question/answer session. Most of them pertained to their dreams and how they could achieve their goals.
Miss D told the children to look for many positive role models who come from different places, including home, school, church, community, and abroad. She opined that no single atmosphere and no single individual were the real answers for the children to reach their utopia. Every situation and every person offer things to be taken away as well as things to be left behind.
Referring to herself as an example, Miss D commented, “As a coach, I can only take my girls [troupe] so far in ballet. I must put them where people are doing that. Power APAC sought extremely talented students. They must invest through rehearsing and having mentors beyond the school, counselors, and principals.”
“Complete involvement on the part of positive adults,” she said, was the key element to push children forward. She emphasized that spending quality time was essential for prodding youth to fulfill their aspirations.
Another aspect was encouragement. In this regard, Miss D noted that children are delicate and need positive role models who stand at the gate and boost the children’s self-esteem by instilling in them that they can become whatever they desire.
“It takes,” she said, “a made-up mind.”
Some reacted to Miss D’s statements after the question/answer session. Eleven-year-old Isaac Doss of Byram Middle School said, “I learned that whatever you think of, you can always achieve. And you have to put your effort into it. My brother is in the NBA, and I play basketball. He’s helping me with my skills.”
Twenty-five-year-old Joseph Sharver Jr. said clearly, “Don’t give up on your dreams. It’s good to dream and stay on the right road.”
Captain Venus Gardner of Jackson Fire Department Kids Academy explained that children should look at life “beyond their surroundings” with a larger picture, facing responsibility with accountability.
For further information on Dancing Dolls, contact Dianna “Miss D” Williams at dollhousedance@yahoo.com