The Northeast Academy of Dance (NAD) founded in 1934[1], became a mainstay for dancing Black youth and adults close to the H Street corridor. H Street was a busy African-American community main street of that time in the northeast corridor, while U Street was a prominent entertainment and social main street for African Americans in the northwest corridor. Mrs. Hammond learned classical ballet in the back room of a local dry cleaner; learning from the same Russian teacher as Washington Ballet’s Founder Mary Day. Hammond created NAD’s dance ensemble, Africana Americano, which performed throughout D.C.

[1] “Washington, DC Dance Pioneer: Bernice Hammond.” Personal interview. Apr.-May 2005.