Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Henderson.
Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, thanks so much for having me! Well, professionally, I am an author, contemporary modern dancer, and certified doula.
I started out young with a laser-focused pursuit of a professional dance career. I received my BA in Dance from the University of Houston, while leading the praise dance ministry of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, and then served as company choreographer for ANDance at the Fort Bend Academy of Arts and Dance. In that time, I was introduced to the greatest two joys of my life – my godchildren, Grace and Landon. They led me to further question what I knew, what I believed, and where I was going – with my career, with my faith, and with my callings.
I must admit that as I’ve gotten older my thirst for knowing my personal and cultural history has gotten stronger. So, in the last five years I’ve begun the journey of gently pulling up my roots. I have learned a lot and been left with many questions, which brings me here – having done so much in 32 years, I gifted myself the opportunity to start anew.
After working eleven hard years as a freelance performer and choreographer, I decided to pull back the roots on my love for and dedication to children and health. That brought me to authoring my first children’s book, “Acire’s Journey to Forgiveness Mountain,” and becoming certified as a pregnancy and postpartum doula. Health, whether it be emotional, relational, spiritual, or physical, is important to me, and unbeknownst to my godchildren, their presence inspired me to dig deeper, be more courageous, seek change, and get to the place I am at now: healing and laser-focused on laying down those healing roots for the future generations.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been smooth? Hmm, I can’t say that it has, but who can? Living in Houston for ten years, I spent so much energy just trying to be good enough for my craft and less time enjoying the moments that were good to me. I was always striving, never fully satisfied. Financial struggles…I knew them intimately, and surprisingly (even though it was utterly difficult at times), they were not my most stressful battles. I struggled most with feelings of inadequacy. As an artist, it comes with the territory. Our art and creations are figuratively sewn to us, and it’s hard to define, accept, and critique ourselves outside of them – even harder when it’s attached to a spiritual calling. I remember asking, “am I good enough for You and for this work, God?” many-a-time and never came back with the answer I needed.
Getting to this point right now was about being released from people-pleasing and perfectionism. I had to stop trying to fit my blemished life into the perfect dance performance in my head. I had to be loosened from what I thought I should have excelled at already. I had to let go of being the one who manifests and leads my life. To smoothly move into each mountain high and valley low, I needed to reestablish my trust in God. The smooth road, as a woman of faith, only came with that trust.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I “juggle with the Air.” I know, I know, let me explain. As opposed to laser-focusing on one craft – believing that giving energy to multiple pursuits is a disservice to all, I am now a fierce advocate for exploring, or juggling, all those things that once lay dormant inside you. I juggle, with God, everything that has been placed in my life to do and be.
Of course, by family and acquaintances, I am known for dancing. I have been in that field my entire life, so it’s in my blood.
My most exciting current project is as the founder of Compass Dance Publishing, and the upcoming release of my first children’s book, “Acire’s Journey to Forgiveness Mountain.” We actually just fully funded its Kickstarter campaign, and I’m preparing to print & ship this precious book to our intended readers. I am beyond excited!
Alongside publishing and authorship, I am a Christian blogger, podcaster, and dancer through my faith-based brand Dancing Curl. This is where my creative writing skills also blossom. It is like college again. There’s no one to push me towards the success I desire for myself here. Dancing Curl is my oldest creative child, but I love that I am still learning everyday how to manage it.
All of this at the core is to hopefully exude love. I love giving my life story as inspiration. I love taking my mountaintop lessons and making them relatable for children. I love loving others tenderly yet with accountability, and being honest in my own flaws. I love following God’s will and keeping His commandments. I hope when people look at the work of my life and my heart behind it, that they see I’m committed to truth, determination, faith, courage, and most of all, Love.
What matters most to you?
Jesus. I am sure it is no surprise that I’d say Him and it may even read as rehearsed coming from a Christian “anything.” It’s true, though. I would not know what I know, have reached the people I reach, seen beautiful Truth and hope in this world, and dared to step out into it, if I did not have a personal, intellectual, emotional, and solid relationship with Jesus Christ. He guides my steps and I hope my steps inspire others.
Contact Info:
- Email: erica@
compassdancepublishing.com - Website: www.
compassdancepublishing.com & w ww.dancingcurl.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/dancing_curl/ & https://www.instagram.com/ aciresjourneybooks/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/DancingCurl & htt ps://www.facebook.com/ aciresjourneybooks - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
aciresjourney - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/channel/UCBqU- XaANaRJjl0Fbv2A3aQ & https:// www.youtube.com/channel/ UCDxLDpYYlhjOXQSd-mkPtLg
