A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Helanius J. Wilkins arrived in Washington, D.C., in 1995. Wilkins soon created a mixed raced dance company called Dimensions Dance Company that he dissolved in 2000[1]. Two years later, Helanius created his present company Edgeworks that has performed nationally and internationally. Image: Men of Edgeworks (L to R) Unknown, Reggie Glass, Boris Willis, Helanius J. Wilkins, Reggie Cole)/Edgeworks Dance Theater

Wilkins had a vision for sharing his appreciation of dance as a form of expression for men, to bring an eclectic group of artists to work together on common ground to explore identity and masculinity. “The goal of this creative venture is to break down stereotypes about men, specifically from African- American perspectives” – Helanius J. Wilkins

[1] “Edgeworks Dance Theater | N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.hjwedgeworks.org/hjw.php>.