I had the wonderful opportunity to film The Opulence of Integrity, a four-movement evening-length work inspired by the life of Muhammad Ali presented by Christal Brown/INSPIRIT. The filming came together rather organically, after I attended Christal's movement workshop at Cumbe Dance Center on my birthday. It had been years since I'd taken one of her workshops, and I was long overdue for the jumps, falls, and ground work.

I used to live by Christal's "Write to Dance" summer intensives at the 92nd Street YMCA, exploring how text can influence movement and vice versa. One summer of note, on my way to a new job as an executive assistant, faced with the decision of missing the workshop I realized that I only wanted to write and dance--so I walked off the subway. As dramatic as it was, looking back, it was the right call.

Christal has since moved on from Urban Bush Women and INSPIRIT, her company of female dancers, to teach at Middlebury College. She is a force and her work is phenomenal. Watch a clip of The Opulence of Integrity. And donate to Christal's Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a national tour! --AL.